Gooey, sweet, and layered with irresistible flavor, this Carmelitas Recipe brings together chewy oats, rich chocolate, and buttery caramel in every bite. It’s the ultimate dessert bar you’ll crave again and again.
With a quick prep time and a satisfyingly decadent result, these bars are perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself. From bake sales to casual gatherings, they never fail to impress.
Star Players in These Gooey Carmelitas
- Caramels or caramel bits – The gooey heart of the dessert, melted to create that signature luscious layer.
- Heavy cream – Softens the caramels into a silky, pourable texture for even layering.
- Old-fashioned oats – Offer a chewy bite and rustic flavor that balances the richness.
- Brown sugar – Deepens the sweetness with a molasses-rich caramel note that enhances the filling.
- Butter – Melted and mixed into the crust, it adds richness and helps bind the dry ingredients.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Provide melty pockets of chocolate that contrast the caramel’s sweetness.
- Chopped walnuts – Add crunch and a subtle nuttiness that cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
How to Make These Irresistible Carmelitas
Start by melting the caramels and cream into a velvety sauce. While that cools, mix oats, flour, sugar, and butter into a crumbly dough. Press half into your baking dish and pre-bake it for a few minutes.
Once your base is set, scatter chocolate chips and walnuts on top. Drizzle with the warm caramel, then sprinkle on the rest of the oat mixture. It’s okay if some caramel peeks through—that’s part of the charm. Bake again until golden and bubbly, then let them cool completely before slicing into dreamy squares.
Sweet Success: Tips & Twists for Your Carmelitas
Cool time is key—don’t rush the cooling process or your bars will fall apart when slicing. For clean cuts, refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Swap the semi-sweet chips for dark or milk chocolate depending on your preference. Love texture? Toast the walnuts for extra depth. Want a flavor twist? Try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the oat mixture or a handful of shredded coconut for extra chew.
These bars are rich, so smaller portions go a long way—perfect for parties, gifting, or tucking into a lunchbox for a midday treat.
Keeping Carmelitas Fresh & Fabulous
Store your carmelitas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days, or refrigerate for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze tightly wrapped bars for up to two months.
To enjoy them warm, reheat individual squares in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds until the chocolate and caramel turn perfectly gooey again.
Carmelitas
Ingredients
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 12 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1 11-ounce package caramels or caramel bits
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9 x 9-inch baking dish by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper or foil.
- In a small saucepan set over low heat, combine the caramels with the heavy cream, stirring regularly until fully melted and silky. Once smooth, remove from heat and let it rest.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is cohesive.
- Firmly press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes; keep the oven on.
- Evenly scatter the chocolate chips and walnuts over the baked crust. Drizzle the warm caramel mixture over the top and spread it gently for even coverage. Crumble and sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer; it’s acceptable if some caramel remains exposed.
- Return to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
- Allow the bars to cool entirely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.
