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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the baking workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and positioning the rack in the middle position.
- 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.
- Craft the oat base by blending melted butter with brown sugar, flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt until a cohesive, crumbly mixture forms.
- Distribute half of the oat mixture uniformly across the prepared baking dish, pressing firmly to create a compact, even layer.
- Bake the initial crust for 10 minutes until it develops a light golden appearance and becomes slightly set.
- Immediately after removing from the oven, generously scatter chocolate chips across the hot crust, creating an even chocolate landscape.
- Drizzle caramel sauce or dulce de leche over the chocolate chips, ensuring complete coverage and potential pooling in chocolate valleys.
- Delicately sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- 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.
- Allow the Carmelitas to cool completely within the baking dish, which helps the layers set and makes cutting cleaner and more precise.
- 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