Sweet & Gooey Carmelitas Recipe: Homemade Bliss In Every Bite

Chocolate and caramel dance together in this irresistible gooey carmelitas recipe that promises pure dessert bliss.

Layers of buttery oats, rich chocolate chips, and silky caramel create a decadent treat that melts in your mouth.

These bars deliver a symphonic experience of sweet and sticky textures that tantalize every taste bud.

Each bite combines the crunch of oatmeal with smooth chocolate and golden caramel swirls.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an indulgent dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Warm from the oven, these carmelitas beckon with their golden edges and gooey center.

Prepare to fall in love with the most addictive bar cookie you’ll ever taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 17

Carmelitas Ingredient Checklist

• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind ingredients together, choose unsalted for better flavor control.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and moisture to the base, opt for fresh, soft brown sugar.
• Flour: Creates structure and helps hold the crumbly mixture, use all-purpose flour for best results.
• Oats: Adds wonderful texture and nutty flavor, select rolled oats for optimal consistency.
• Baking Soda: Helps the mixture rise slightly and promotes golden browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, sophisticated flavor depth.

• Chocolate Chips: Delivers rich, melty chocolate element, dark or semi-sweet work best.
• Caramels: Provides gooey, luxurious center, choose soft, high-quality wrapped caramels.
• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, silky caramel sauce and helps melt caramels evenly.

• Remaining Oat Mixture: Adds crispy, crumbly texture on top, same ingredients as base layer.

Baking Tools For Carmelitas

• 8×8-inch baking dish: Essential for creating the perfect Carmelitas size and shape.
• Parchment paper or cooking spray: Prevents sticking and makes removal easy.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining butter, sugar, and dry ingredients.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Used for melting caramels and heavy cream smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for mixing and spreading ingredients.
• Oven: Required for baking the Carmelitas to golden perfection.

How To Bake Carmelitas

• Prep the Baking Zone

Get your oven warmed up to 350F and grab an 8-inch baking dish. Line it with parchment paper or give it a quick spray of cooking oil.

• Create the Crumbly Base

Mash together melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until they become best friends. Toss in flour, oats, baking soda, and salt, mixing until you’ve got a deliciously thick and crumbly mixture.

• Lay the Foundation

Press half of your crumbly mixture into the bottom of the pan, creating a solid base for your treat. Pop it in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

• Craft the Gooey Center

While the base is baking, create a silky caramel sauce by melting caramels with heavy cream in the microwave. Stir until smooth and dreamy.

• Build the Layers

Once the base comes out, sprinkle chocolate chips across the hot surface. Drizzle your luscious caramel sauce over the chips, spreading it gently.

• Add the Crumbly Topping

Scatter the remaining crumbly mixture across the caramel layer, creating a rustic, tempting top.

• Bake to Perfection

Return the dish to the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. You’re looking for a golden top with bubbly edges.

• Cool and Slice

Let your creation cool completely for at least 2 hours. This helps the caramel set and makes cutting into bars a breeze.

Tips For Better Carmelitas

• Caramel Drizzle Magic: Add an extra swirl of homemade caramel sauce on top for intense flavor boost.
• Texture Perfection Hack: Chill bars in refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting to get clean, precise edges.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend to make recipe celiac-safe without losing delicious taste.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare bars up to 3 days in advance and store in airtight container at room temperature for easy entertaining.
• Nutty Flavor Twist: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between caramel and chocolate layers for added crunch and depth of flavor.

Creative Ways To Serve Carmelitas

• Chocolate Decadence Delight: Serve these rich Carmelitas with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a heavenly contrast of warm, gooey bars and cold, creamy sweetness.
• Dessert Beverage Pairing: Complement the caramel and chocolate flavors with a steaming mug of dark roast coffee or a smooth caramel latte to enhance the dessert's depth.
• Party Presentation Trick: Cut into smaller bite-sized squares for easy sharing at potlucks, game nights, or family gatherings, making them a crowd-pleasing dessert option that everyone can enjoy.
• Garnish Glamour: Sprinkle a light dusting of sea salt or chopped toasted nuts on top just before serving to add a sophisticated crunch and boost the complex flavor profile of these irresistible bars.

Store & Save Carmelitas Right

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Let bars rest at room temperature for minimum 2 hours to ensure caramel solidifies perfectly without cracking or running.
• Refrigeration Technique: After complete cooling, store Carmelitas in airtight container inside refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain texture and freshness.
• Freezing Method: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container for maximum 3 months – thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying.
• Serving Suggestion: Cut bars into uniform squares using sharp knife when completely cooled to prevent caramel from becoming messy or stretching during slicing.

Gooey Carmelitas Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Irresistible caramelitas reveal layers of chocolate and caramel nestled between buttery oat crumbles. Midwest bakers cherish this sweet bar as a crowd-pleasing dessert you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 ¼ cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (90 g) old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 bag (11 oz/312 g) caramel bits or 30 soft caramels, unwrapped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prep Station: Preheat oven to 350F and line a square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for effortless removal.
2. Base Construction: Combine melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla into a smooth mixture, then fold in flour, oats, baking soda, and salt to create a crumbly texture.
3. Initial Baking: Press half the oat mixture firmly into the prepared pan, creating an even foundation. Bake for 10 minutes until edges turn a light golden brown.
4. Caramel Infusion: While crust bakes, melt caramels with heavy cream in a saucepan, stirring continuously until achieving a silky, uniform sauce.
5. Layering Technique: Sprinkle chocolate chips across the warm crust, then pour the molten caramel evenly over the surface, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Final Assembly: Gently distribute remaining oat mixture across the caramel layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
7. Final Bake: Return to oven and bake 15-18 minutes until the surface reaches a deep golden color and edges bubble with intensity.
8. Cooling Ritual: Remove from oven and allow to cool completely for approximately two hours, enabling caramel to set and flavors to meld perfectly before cutting into indulgent squares.

Notes

• Prevent Sticky Situation: Generously grease or line the baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and prevent the caramel from clinging to the sides.
• Control Caramel Consistency: Melt caramels slowly and stir continuously to avoid burning, creating a smooth, glossy sauce that perfectly coats the layers.
• Manage Moisture Balance: Allow the base to cool completely before adding caramel and chocolate to prevent soggy layers and maintain a crisp, textured foundation.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular flour with gluten-free alternatives, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and substitute vegan caramel sauce to accommodate different dietary restrictions while preserving the dessert’s rich, indulgent character.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg