Description
These Caramelitas are delightful layered bars featuring a buttery oat crust, a luscious caramel and chocolate center, and a golden oat topping. Perfect as a sweet treat for any occasion, they combine the chewy texture of oats with the rich flavors of caramel and chocolate in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Oat Base and Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup melted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Caramel Layer
- 1 bag of soft caramels (around 11 oz)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking.
- Make the Caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the soft caramels and heavy cream. Stir continuously until the caramels have fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.
- Make the Oat Mixture: In a separate large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, rolled oats, and baking soda together until all ingredients are well combined and form a cohesive mixture.
- Press the Base: Take half of the oat mixture and firmly press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to form the base layer.
- Bake the Crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the oat crust for 10 minutes until it is slightly set. Remove from the oven, then evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips over the warm crust. Pour the prepared caramel mixture over the chocolate chips carefully.
- Add the Top Layer: Spread the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer evenly, pressing gently to ensure it sticks and forms a nice top layer.
- Bake the Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top layer turns golden brown and the bars are cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely to set properly before cutting into squares and serving.
Notes
- Use an 8×8-inch baking pan for the best thickness and even baking.
- Press the oat mixture firmly to help the bars hold together well.
- Allow the bars to cool fully to ensure clean cutting and better texture.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a variation, consider using milk or dark chocolate chips according to preference.
