Sweet & Gooey Carmelitas Recipe: The Ultimate Treat

Chocolate and caramel lovers rejoice with this decadent carmelitas recipe that promises pure dessert bliss.

Rich layers of gooey caramel melt seamlessly between buttery oatmeal cookie crumbles, creating an irresistible treat.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet and salty notes that dance across your palate.

The golden-brown edges hint at the magic waiting inside this simple yet extraordinary dessert.

Warm from the oven, these bars offer a mouthwatering combination of textures that will make everyone swoon.

Baking these carmelitas is easier than you might expect, with minimal ingredients and maximum satisfaction.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing dessert that’s sure to become a cherished recipe in your collection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 272 kcal

Servings: 17

Ingredients in Carmelitas

• Butter: Adds rich, creamy texture and helps bind the crumbly oat mixture.
• Brown Sugar: Introduces deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Flour: Provides structure and helps absorb moisture in the oatmeal mixture.
• Rolled Oats: Delivers hearty, nutty flavor and creates a rustic, chewy texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps the mixture rise slightly and promotes a soft, tender base.

• Caramel Squares: Melts into a smooth, gooey sauce that adds luxurious sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create a silky, pourable caramel with a velvety consistency.

• Chocolate Chips: Introduces rich, melty chocolate that complements the caramel perfectly.

Tools That Help You Make Perfect Carmelitas

• 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect carmelita layers.
• Foil or parchment paper: Helps with easy removal and clean-up of the bars.
• Small saucepan: Crucial for melting caramel and cream into a smooth mixture.
• Mixing bowl: Perfect for combining oatmeal crust ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir caramel and mix dry ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Oven: Necessary for baking the carmelitas to golden perfection.
• Cooling rack (optional): Allows bars to cool evenly after baking.

How to Layer and Bake Carmelitas Without Hassle

Caramel Oat Chocolate Bars

• Cozy Preparation Warm up your oven and get a baking pan ready with a protective liner for easy cleanup.
• Silky Caramel Sauce Melt caramel and cream together in a small pan, stirring until beautifully smooth and glossy.
• Oat Base Create a delightful crumbly mixture by combining butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, and a touch of baking soda.
• First Layer Press half of the oat mixture into the pan and send it to the oven for a quick golden bake.
• Chocolate Dream Sprinkle chocolate chips over the warm crust, then generously drizzle the luscious caramel sauce across the surface.
• Crumbly Topping Scatter the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer, creating a rustic, appetizing texture.
• Final Bake Return the pan to the oven and let the magic happen until the edges turn a gentle golden brown.
• Cooling Moment Allow the bars to cool completely, letting the layers settle and flavors meld together before slicing into irresistible squares.

Flavor Tips for Extra Gooey Carmelitas

• Sprinkle chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts between layers to introduce a delightful texture and boost the overall taste complexity.
• Incorporate festive mix-ins like pumpkin spice during autumn, crushed peppermint during winter, or toasted coconut for a tropical summer vibe.
• Chill the baked Carmelitas for 1-2 hours before slicing to ensure clean, precise edges and prevent the caramel from becoming too runny.

Serving Carmelitas with a Sweet Touch

• Dessert Companion Pairings: Creamy vanilla ice cream adds a luxurious cool contrast to the warm, gooey carmelitas.
• Sweet Beverage Match: Rich, dark coffee or smooth caramel latte perfectly complements the dessert's sweet and buttery flavors.
• Elegant Presentation Style: Cut into neat squares and dust with powdered sugar for an Instagram-worthy dessert that looks as delicious as it tastes.
• Party Serving Tip: Arrange carmelitas on a rustic wooden board with small tasting forks for an inviting potluck or dessert gathering centerpiece.

Keep Carmelitas Tasting Great Over Time

• Fridge Friendly Strategy: Store these decadent carmelitas in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep them covered to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Room Temperature Charm: Enjoy bars at ambient temperature for softer, more gooey caramel texture. Remove from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to experience optimal taste and consistency.
• Freezer Magic: Wrap individual carmelita squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. Frozen bars will stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Portioning Pro Tip: Cut bars into smaller bite-sized pieces for easy grab-and-go dessert options. Stack separated layers with wax paper to prevent sticking when storing multiple pieces together.

Sweet Carmelitas

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Carmelitas elevate chocolate and caramel into a delectable bar cookie experience. Gooey caramel and rich chocolate nestled between buttery oatmeal crumble layers promise pure indulgence you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 32 caramel squares (unwrapped)
• 6 oz (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup (170 g) butter, melted
• 1 cup (240 ml) rolled oats
• 1 cup (125 g) flour
• ¾ cup (165 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Prep Station: Line an 8 or 9-inch square pan with foil, ensuring complete base and side coverage.
2. Caramel Creation: Melt caramel squares and heavy cream in a saucepan, stirring until achieving a glossy, smooth liquid. Set aside the luxurious mixture.
3. Oatmeal Base Construction: Blend melted butter, brown sugar, flour, rolled oats, and baking soda into a cohesive, crumbly texture.
4. Foundational Layer: Spread half the oatmeal mixture across the pan, pressing firmly to create an even, compact crust. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes until light golden.
5. Chocolate and Caramel Infusion: Remove crust and strategically layer chocolate chips across the surface. Pour caramel sauce generously over the chips, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Rustic Topping: Sprinkle remaining oatmeal mixture over the caramel layer, creating a textured finish.
7. Final Baking: Return pan to oven and bake 15-20 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
8. Cooling and Serving: Allow carmelitas to cool completely, enabling layers to set. Slice into precise squares, revealing the decadent caramel, chocolate, and oatmeal composition.

Notes

• Prep Pan Perfectly: Line the baking pan completely with foil or parchment to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the carmelitas.
• Control Caramel Consistency: Melt caramel and cream slowly, stirring constantly to achieve a smooth, glossy sauce without burning.
• Layer Strategically: Press the first oatmeal layer firmly to create a solid base, and sprinkle the final layer loosely for a crumbly, textured top.
• Cool Completely: Allow carmelitas to cool entirely at room temperature, which helps the layers set and intensifies the rich, gooey texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 272
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 157 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg