Layers of buttery oatmeal cookie sandwich a layer of caramel, pecans and chocolate chips come together for a perfect holiday treat. Caramelitas are a must have for the holidays or any time your sweet tooth begs for something special.
If you are looking for a rich and gooey dessert, caramelitas are just the thing! They have a buttery brown sugar and oatmeal crust with a gooey caramel, chocolate and pecan center that will make your sweet tooth sing!
Cookie bars are a great way to share something special with friends and family. My aunt’s recipe for caramelitas brings together golden butterscotch oatmeal layers with rich caramel and chocolate goodness in the middle.
They are a Christmas must have for my aunt and cousins but are really perfect all year long.
One of the best parts about bars like these are they are relatively quick to make. You don’t have to worry about loading tray after tray of individual cookies into the oven.
Instead you get to just press the dough into a pan and build up the layers. It’s less monotony.
As you build up the layers of goodness, you know you are making something delicious. Not to mention the smell when you take them out of the oven… so good!
Tips for Making These Caramel Oatmeal Bars
To make cutting the bars easier, you’ll want to line your pan. You can use parchment or aluminum foil.
Once your bars are completely cooled, you can lift the whole batch out of the pan. Then you can cut straight across the entire length without hitting the sides of the pan.
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You can cut them into quite a few smaller squares. They are rich, so you don’t need a huge slice.
Besides, you can always get a second one if you are super hungry. You know I won’t judge!
If you don’t want to line the pan, of course you don’t have to. Just spray it and cut the bars in the pan.
They will still be tasty, but the first piece may not be pretty if you try to get them out while they are warm. Of course that will give you a good excuse to go ahead and taste test, so it won’t be the end of the world!
Storage
Marlene suggests you store caramelitas in the refrigerator. Then she says to warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave before you eat them.
I must say the warm slightly melted chocolate chips and caramel center are amazing. So I totally agree with her recommendation!
You can also freeze them for longer storage. You will want to defrost them or warm them up in the microwave a bit before you take a bite though, that center freezes pretty hard!
Caramelitas are perfect for holiday trays for sure. They would also be amazing for summer potlucks and bbqs.
There really isn’t a time they wouldn’t be good! If caramel, chocolate and sweet goodness are your thing, these are for you!
What type of caramels should I use?
I like using the Kraft caramel bits because you don’t have to unwrap them. You can also use soft caramel squares or a chunk of soft caramel. You don’t want to use hard caramel candies.
Caramelitas
Ingredients
- 22 oz. caramels or caramel bits
- 10 Tablespoons evaporated milk
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1½ cups light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups melted butter
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Melt 22 oz. caramels or caramel bits in 10 Tablespoons evaporated milk. Set aside to cool.
- In large bowl combine the 2 cups all purpose flour, 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, 1½ cups light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1½ cups melted butter.
- Press half of the dough mixture into a greased or parchment lined 9×13-inch pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Gently pour the melted caramel over bottom crust. Sprinkle 2 cups chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped pecans over caramel.
- Break remaining dough into small bits and sprinkle over the top of the goodies to make an even layer.
- Bake 20 additional minutes.
- Chill at least one hour before cutting into bars.
Video
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So… when I make these, do I have to share?? These sound soo good!
I won't tell if you don't 😉
Cookie bars are such a time saver when baking. And that layer of caramel in the middle sounds fabulous.
It takes them to the next level, for sure!
Carmelita‘s are my all-time favorite bar, I have made many versions, and I think I’ve shared three of them on the blog, they melt in your mouth and I really want to try this recipe ASAP! Happy weekend girlfriend!
Aren't they so good? Thanks, Andrea!
These would be a perfect after school snack.
They would be for sure!