Carmelitas

By Lauren MiyashiroUpdated: Sep 12, 2023

4 Ratings

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PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Caramel lovers—get ready to meet your new favorite dessert bar. While we can’t get enough of magic cookie bars or the classic blondies, when we’re in the mood for a rich, caramel-filled treat, we turn to these carmelitas. Layered with a buttery brown sugar oat mixture, a homemade caramel sauce, and melty chocolate chips, these bars have everything we could ever want in a decadent dessert. Plus, they’re ready in under an hour, making them the perfect last-minute addition to your holiday party (or even when you’re just craving a sweet treat).

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for around 3 to 4 days.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

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Yields:: 12
Prep Time:: 15 mins
Total Time:: 1 hr

Ingredients

Cooking spray
2 c.
(240 g.) all-purpose flour
2 c.
old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 c.
(3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 c.
(320 g.) packed light brown sugar
2 tsp.
pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp.
kosher salt
1
(11-oz.) bag soft caramels
1/4 c.
whole milk
Pinch of flaky sea salt
2 c.
semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Step 1Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 13" x 9" baking pan with cooking spray, then line pan with parchment.
2. Step 2In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and kosher salt until just crumbly and combined. Press half of oat mixture into prepared pan; reserve remaining oat mixture.
3. Step 3Bake crust until just beginning to turn golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes.
4. Step 4Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over low heat, cook caramels and milk, stirring occasionally, until caramels have melted, about 12 minutes. Stir in sea salt.
5. Step 5Scatter chocolate chips over crust. Pour caramel over chips. Gently spread caramel to cover chocolate. Top caramel with reserved oat mixture, flattening out oats.
6. Step 6Bake carmelitas until oat crumble is golden and caramel is bubbling around the edges, about 25 minutes. Let cool in pan. Slice into squares.