Carmelitas — 🎉🧡😋 For the serious caramel lover, these soft and chewy layered bars are dripping with caramel and stuffed with chocolate! Easy one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that everyone loves!
Table of Contents
- The Best Carmelitas Recipe
- What’s in Carmelitas?
- How to Make Carmelitas
- What Kind of Caramels Should I Buy?
- Can I Use Caramel Sauce Instead?
- Can I Use Instant Oats Instead of Rolled?
- Can I Double This Recipe?
- How to Store Carmelita Bars
- Can I Freeze Carmelita Bars?
- Tips for Making Carmelita Bars
- What Readers Are Saying
- Carmelitas Recipe
- More Caramel Dessert Recipes:
The Best Carmelitas Recipe
These oatmeal caramel bars are like the bubblegum with the squishy, squirty center that oozes when you chomp down. Except it’s rich, creamy, buttery caramel that squirts in your mouth when you bite down here.
They’re like the softest oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, with a streusel-crumble topping, and more melted caramel than you have napkins for, and that’s beautiful.
I’ve been wanting to (re)make these bars for years, and I’m so glad I did. They’re a no-mixer, layered bar and are an adaptation of my early 2012 Caramel and Chocolate Gooey Bars.
In this version, I tinkered with the flour and oat ratio, increasing the flour and decreasing the oats slightly, so the bars hold together better.
Even after the carmelita bars are fully cooled, they’re soft, gooey, messy, and full of intense caramel flavor. The butter and brown sugar in the crust-topping mixture caramelize while baking, adding even more caramel flavor.
If you’re easily bothered by desserts that are ‘too sweet or too rich’, I wouldn’t recommend these because they’re both.
However, adding a pinch of salt helps balance the sweetness. I included places in the recipe where you can add salt, to the crust-topping mixture, and/or to the caramel sauce, creating salted caramel sauce.
The semi-sweet chocolate is a great balance to the sweet caramel and chocolate is always welcome in any dessert I’m having.
The oats provide a light amount of texture and chewiness to the otherwise buttery-soft bars, just oozing with caramel everywhere. They aren’t called carmelitas for nothing.
What’s in Carmelitas?
These carmelita bars are a cinch to make and require very few ingredients.
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Old-fashioned oats
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Caramel squares
- Heavy cream
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Carmelitas
- The crust and topping are made with the same mixture. It’s a buttery, brown sugar, vanilla-infused oatmeal and flour mixture. Half is pressed into the pan and baked for 10 minutes as the crust, and the other half of the big buttery crumbs are crumbled over the top.
- The filling is just caramels and heavy cream melted together. I melted in the micro, but use the stovetop if you prefer.
- After baking the crust for 10 minutes, sprinkle with chocolate, drizzle with caramel sauce, and crumble the reserved oatmeal-brown sugar mixture over the top.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake until the center is bubbly and the edges are just set and lightly browned.
- Cool very well before slicing and seving!
What Kind of Caramels Should I Buy?
I use Werther’s Soft Caramels which are great for baking. If you can’t find the Werther’s brand of caramels, Kraft sells baking caramels as well, but squares are usually wrapped. The unwrapped Kraft caramel bits are another option,
I used Werther’s Baking Caramels. I love these caramels because the wax paper just slides right off making unwrapping 30+ caramels a quick and easy job, rather than caramels with pesky cellophane, which is a huge strugglefest.
If you can’t find the Werther’s brand of caramels, Kraft sells baking caramels as well. In general, you’re looking for something that is what I would call an old-fashioned type of caramel, square in shape, and soft and chewy rather than hard.
Can I Use Caramel Sauce Instead?
I haven’t tried using jarred caramel sauce, but I have a feeling a thick, higher quality jarred sauce would be fine. If anyone tries Trader Joe’s Salted Caramel Sauce, let me know how it goes. That would be my first choice if I wasn’t melted caramels with cream.
Can I Use Instant Oats Instead of Rolled?
No! You must use old-fashioned oats (aka rolled oats) in this recipe. Instant or quick cooking oats are too powdery and won’t give you the right consistency.
Can I Double This Recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan.
How to Store Carmelita Bars
Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Can I Freeze Carmelita Bars?
Yes! They can be frozen for up to 4 months. To thaw, place on your counter overnight.
Tips for Making Carmelita Bars
It’s very important to allow the bars to cool completely before slicing. It can up to take 4 hours, or overnight, at room temp.
You can speed it along by placing pan in the fridge, but I made them in the evening, cooled overnight, and they were set by the next morning. However ‘set’ is a relative term. You can see they’re still plenty drippy and gooey.
If you slice the bars before they’ve cooled completely, you’ll have a literal hot mess with molten caramel and melted chocolate all over. They’ll taste fine (as long as you don’t burn your mouth on hot caramel), but you’ll have no chance for clean cuts or pretty bars that stay intact.
Plus, I think bars like this taste better the next day after the flavors have married. The caramel and chocolate also has a chance to soak into all the nooks and crannies of the oats.
What Readers Are Saying
This easy recipe for carmelitas has been one of the top desserts on my site for years!
Here are just a few of the 5-star reviews that readers have left on this carmelitas recipe:
“I have been meaning to make this for a LONG time and my mom’s birthday was finally the perfect occasion. I love and trust your recipes and this was no exception. They are really quick and easy to make, and I love that they are actually better made the day before.” — Jen
“This recipe is amazing! I’ve made these several times for family and just for myself they are so good. Never had any problems, its quick and delicious!” — Gina
“This recipe is one of our favorites. I’ve added it to my recipe book so we never lose it.” — Deb
“I made these for New Year’s Eve and they were incredible! I am famously bad at baking but your photos and careful instructions made these very manageable.” — Beth
“OMG!!!! These are to die for! Had I known, I would never have made them because I couldn’t stop eating them! Ooey Gooey caramel and chocolatey goodness all wrapped up in one little bite!” — Nancy T.
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Carmelitas
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter, melted (1 1/2 stick; I use unsalted butter but salted may be used)
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole-rolled old fashioned oats, not instant or quick cook
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 35 caramel squares, unwrapped (I used Werther’s Originals Soft Caramels which are slightly bigger than cellophane-wrapped caramels; if using those, I recommend using a couple more)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks (I used a combo)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8×8-inch pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Lining your pan is highly recommended for ease of cleanup due to the stickiness of the caramel; set pan aside.
- In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 90 seconds.
- Add the brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
- Add the flour, oats, baking soda, optional pinch salt, and stir until combined. Mixture will be quite thick.
- Add half of the mixture to the prepared pan (just eyeball it), and smooth it with spatula or the back of a spoon, to create an even, smooth, flat layer; set remainder aside.
- Bake for 10 minutes. While it bakes, make the caramel sauce.
- In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, combine the caramels* (see Notes below for caramel options), cream, salt, and heat on high power in 60-second bursts to melt caramels, stirring after each burst. It will likely take about 4 to 5 minutes total to melt; heat until mixture can be stirred smooth. Alternatively, combine caramels and cream in a medium saucepan, and heat over medium-low heat to melt, stirring nearly continuously, until mixture can be stirred smooth.
- After 10 minutes, remove pan from the oven and evenly sprinkle with the chocolate.
- Slowly and evenly pour caramel sauce over the chocolate.
- Evenly crumble reserved oatmeal-brown sugar mixture over the top.
- Return pan to oven and bake for about 15 to 18 minutes (I baked 16 1/2), or until edges are lightly browned and center is bubbling slightly.
- Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving, giving the molten caramel time to firm up. This can take up to 4 hours, or overnight, at room temperature. You can speed it up by placing pan in fridge with a sheet of foil over the top to prevent fridge smells. If you don’t wait for bars to cool completely, they’ll be a literal hot mess. They’ll taste fine (don’t burn yourself), but they won’t slice neatly with clean cuts.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Can I do a 3x batch for a half sheet cake pan? If so do I need to adjust my bake times?
I have never tried it personally so I can’t speak to how it will turn out. You will want to make sure though that you sheet cake pan is sufficiently high/tall so nothing overflows. In theory you probably won’t need to increase baking time by much, but I have never tried making this big of a batch.
That makes sense. I’ll do some experimenting. Also, Can I make the dough for the bars ahead of time and keep it in the cooler until I need it a couple days from making it? I assume I’d have to bring it back to room temp as well.
Unless it’s exceedingly hot where you are and you’re not in A/C, you really don’t need to refrigerate them. They will keep fine at room temp for up to 5-7 days.
These bars taste great! I used jarred salted caramel and it worked well, but I think I could have used more. Do you have an estimate for the volume of caramel sauce in your original recipe?
I would say about 1 cup, give or take. Start with about 3/4 and see how it looks as you’re drizzling it in. I wouldn’t bother trying to measure it into a cup first, just drizzle it while eyeballing.
10/10 Good!
I made these for work and had to have a little taste test the night before and wow, they are so good!
Thanks for the 5 star review, Ashley, and I am glad these are a 10/10 for you! That’s very nice of you to cook for people at your work event (and not just go to the grocery store and buy something!)
Love this recipe! I cook and bake often, but this recipe has stood out and my husband often request it for special occasions. Absolutely delicious. We’ve been known to occasionally scoop it up in bowls while warm (kind of like a fudge brownie on steroids) but waiting for it to firm up is advisable.
Thanks for the 5 star review and I am glad this one has stood out among other desserts and that it’s requested for special occasions! I love the scoop-while-warm technique :)
What would be the best way to freeze these for a wedding in 6 weeks? Should I also wait on cutting them?
If you are making this for someone’s wedding, unless there is a unique circumstance, then I would just make it FRESH for the wedding! It’s not that complicated of a recipe and you wouldn’t have a hard time knocking it out in an hour or so.
But if there’s a reason why you absolutely have to freeze it, I would simply just freeze the whole thing in one slab (wrap in foil, place it in a very large ziptop bag and freeze it flat), then thaw it, then cut it after it thawed, before serving.
Made these for a work event and they were a huge hit! I subbed pre-made caramel sauce instead of melting my own but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. Will make again!
Thanks for the 5 star review, Melanie, and I’m glad they were a huge hit with premade caramel sauce and that you’ll make them again!
I made these and they were delicious, but because the recipe doesn’t include the weight of the caramel to be used I had to guess because I wasn’t using the same brand as in the recipe. This resulted in a little too much caramel, and while that wasn’t a problem taste-wise, the bars fell apart when cut after sitting, and the presentation was not so great.
they taste amazing but loads of calories. thats not the authors fault though and the recipe is relatively easy and everyone in my spanish class loved them. 10/10 if you dont care about calories
they taste amazing but loads of calories. thats not the authors fault though and the recipe is relatively easy and everyone in my spanish class loved them. 10/10 if you dont care about calories
Hi Avery–
These have always been a huge hit, even for guests who are experienced chefs.
I was fascinated to pick up some bars and a farmer’s market. Quite similar in overall deliciousness, but there was a noticeable layer of honey instead of caramel. I’m tempted to just try a 1:1 substitution, but I wondered if you might foresee any concerns in this substitution.
Thanks for your incredible recipes!
Cindi
Hi Avery–
These have always been a huge hit, even for guests who are experienced chefs.
I was fascinated to pick up some bars and a farmer’s market. Quite similar in overall deliciousness, but there was a noticeable layer of honey instead of caramel. I’m tempted to just try a 1:1 substitution, but I wondered if you might foresee any concerns in this substitution.
Thanks for your incredible recipes!
Cindi
Thanks for the 5 star review and I am glad these have always been a huge hit for you!
Honey would be great instead of caramel I am sure. I think personally though caramel is essential because they’re called CARMELitas if you want to stay true to the recipe. The other issue is that in baking with honey, it’s going to have a tendency to just simply liquify when exposed to the oven heat. So you would have to really do some playing around with things. Or just ask the farmer’s market vendor. Many times those types of people are just excited to share their creations with the world and won’t get all proprietary and hold back their baking tricks on you.
My absolute favorite dessert! These are a hit every time I make them for friends.
My absolute favorite dessert! These are a hit every time I make them for friends.
Thanks for the 5 star review and I’m glad they’re your absolute favorite dessert and a hit with friends too!
Just made these using Marzetti Caramel Dip instead of the caramels listed. Just heated it up for 1 min. in the microwave. Worked perfectly. Thanks for the recipe!
Just made these using Marzetti Caramel Dip instead of the caramels listed. Just heated it up for 1 min. in the microwave. Worked perfectly. Thanks for the recipe!
I am glad these turned out great with the Marzetti Caramel Dip!
Flavors are so good! I used warm Jar sea salt caramel and it turned out amazing. Perfect amount of salt and sweet. Definitely recommend! Tip…use parchment paper NOT aluminum foil, mine stuck all over the sides of the bars.