Irresistible Homemade Carmelitas Recipe: Gooey Sweet Bliss

Gooey chocolate and caramel dance together in this irresistible carmelitas recipe that promises pure dessert magic.

Layers of buttery oats create a crumbly foundation for decadent swirls of sweet goodness.

Melted chocolate chips mingle with rich caramel, forming a heavenly combination that makes taste buds sing.

Surprisingly simple ingredients come together in less than an hour, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Every bite offers a perfect balance between crisp cookie edges and molten center treasures.

Warm from the oven or chilled in the refrigerator, these bars become an instant crowd-pleaser.

Bring these delectable treats to your next gathering, and watch smiles bloom with each delicious morsel.

Why Carmelitas Are a Chewy, Sweet Delight

• Conquer Layered Delights: These Carmelitas showcase a perfect balance of textures with crispy oat base, gooey caramel, and melted chocolate creating a decadent dessert experience.
• Simplify Baking Adventure: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned kitchen enthusiasts.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Guaranteed to impress at potlucks, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers with its irresistible combination of sweet caramel and rich chocolate nestled between buttery oat layers.
• Master No-Fuss Treat: Requires basic pantry staples and minimal prep work, allowing you to create a spectacular dessert without complicated techniques or extensive cooking skills.

Ingredients for Carmelitas

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps bind the crust together.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture to the bar base.
• Flour: Creates structure and helps hold the bars together.
• Oats: Gives a hearty texture and nutty flavor to the crust.
• Baking Soda: Helps the crust rise and achieve a light texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the bars.

• Chocolate Chips: Adds delicious chocolate layer with melty goodness.
• Caramel Sauce, Dulce de Leche: Provides a rich, sweet, and gooey center to the bars.

• Parchment Paper: Helps with easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.

How to Make Carmelitas

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab a 9×9-inch baking dish. Coat it with butter or cooking spray. Line the dish with parchment paper, allowing extra paper to hang over the edges for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Oat Base

• Melted butter
• Brown sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Rolled oats
• Baking soda
• Salt

Mix ingredients until they form a soft, crumbly texture that holds together when pressed.

Step 3: Form Initial Crust Layer

Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use your fingers to create an even, compact layer that covers the entire base.

Step 4: Initial Baking

Slide the dish into a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake the crust for 10 minutes until it becomes slightly golden and sets.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Layer

Remove the hot crust from the oven. Sprinkle chocolate chips generously across the entire surface, creating a complete chocolate coverage.

Step 6: Drizzle Caramel

Pour caramel sauce or dulce de leche over the chocolate chips, ensuring an even distribution that covers the entire chocolate layer.

Step 7: Top With Remaining Crumble

Scatter the remaining oat mixture over the caramel, creating a rustic, uneven topping that will become deliciously crispy.

Step 8: Final Baking

Return the dish to the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and looks perfectly crisp.

Step 9: Cool and Set

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the baking dish. This helps them set and makes cutting easier.

Step 10: Slice and Serve

Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into square portions. Serve at room temperature for maximum gooey deliciousness.

Tips for Perfectly Chewy Carmelitas

• Select high-quality chocolate chips for richer flavor and smoother texture.
• Chill the bars before cutting to get cleaner, more precise slices.
• Use homemade caramel sauce for a more authentic and fresher taste.
• Swap traditional ingredients with gluten-free flour and oats to make this recipe celiac-friendly.
• Store Carmelitas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their delicious softness.

Variations to Customize Carmelitas

• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Add chopped pecans or almonds to the oat mixture for extra texture and rich, toasted flavor.
• Salted Chocolate Edition: Sprinkle sea salt over the caramel layer to enhance the sweet and savory profile.
• Berry Caramel Swirl: Layer raspberry or strawberry preserves between the chocolate and caramel for a fruity complement.
• Espresso Chocolate Infusion: Mix instant espresso powder into the oat base and use dark chocolate chips for a deeper, more complex taste.

Suggested Pairings for Carmelitas

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: The cool, smooth vanilla perfectly balances the rich, warm caramel and chocolate layers, creating a heavenly dessert experience.
• Serve with Bold Espresso: A strong, freshly brewed espresso cuts through the sweetness and provides a robust contrast to the decadent Carmelitas.
• Match with Salted Caramel Latte: This complementary drink enhances the caramel notes and adds an extra layer of indulgence to the dessert.
• Complement with Toasted Pecan Whiskey: A smooth whiskey with nutty undertones elevates the oat and caramel flavors, creating a sophisticated dessert pairing.

Storage Advice for Carmelitas

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months to preserve texture and flavor.
• Keep at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days. Ensure the area is cool and dry to prevent softening.
• Warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Alternatively, place in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispy edges and gooey center.

Frequently Asked Questions About Carmelitas

• What are the key ingredients in Carmelitas?

The key ingredients are butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, chocolate chips, and caramel sauce or dulce de leche.

• Can I use different types of chocolate for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips based on your preference.

• Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! Carmelitas are easy to make and require basic baking skills with simple mixing and layering techniques.

• How do I know when the Carmelitas are done baking?

Look for a golden brown top layer and the edges starting to slightly pull away from the sides of the baking dish.

Carmelitas Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Irresistible Carmelitas blend rich chocolate and gooey caramel between buttery oat layers, creating a midwest cookie bar that melts hearts. Chocolate lovers discover pure indulgence with each delectable bite of this classic homestyle dessert.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup caramel sauce or dulce de leche
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and positioning the rack in the middle position.
2. Create a non-stick foundation by thoroughly greasing a 9×9-inch baking dish and lining it with parchment paper, ensuring extended edges for effortless removal.
3. Craft the oat base by blending melted butter with brown sugar, flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt until a cohesive, crumbly mixture forms.
4. Distribute half of the oat mixture uniformly across the prepared baking dish, pressing firmly to create a compact, even layer.
5. Bake the initial crust for 10 minutes until it develops a light golden appearance and becomes slightly set.
6. Immediately after removing from the oven, generously scatter chocolate chips across the hot crust, creating an even chocolate landscape.
7. Drizzle caramel sauce or dulce de leche over the chocolate chips, ensuring complete coverage and potential pooling in chocolate valleys.
8. Delicately sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
9. Return the assembled dessert to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown surface indicating perfect doneness.
10. Allow the Carmelitas to cool completely within the baking dish, which helps the layers set and makes cutting cleaner and more precise.
11. Slice into squares, revealing the luscious layers of caramel, chocolate, and oat crumble, and serve at room temperature.

Notes

• Swap out ingredients to create gluten-free versions by using almond flour or gluten-free oats for those with dietary restrictions.
• Enhance the chocolate flavor by mixing different types of chocolate chips like dark, milk, and semi-sweet for a more complex taste profile.
• Prevent sticky caramel layers by chilling the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting, which helps create cleaner, more precise slices.
• Experiment with additional toppings like chopped nuts, sea salt, or a drizzle of melted chocolate to elevate the classic Carmelitas recipe and add extra texture and depth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 242 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg