Description
Chocolate and caramel lovers will adore these irresistible Caramelitas, a rich dessert blending buttery oats, gooey caramel, and silky chocolate chips. Crisp edges and melting center make these bars a perfect indulgence for sweet-craving souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, melted
Chocolate and Nut Addition:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Seasoning and Leavening:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with grease and parchment paper for effortless removal.
- Combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a dry foundation for the dessert.
- Incorporate melted butter into the dry ingredients, stirring until the mixture transforms into a crumbly, cohesive texture.
- Firmly compress half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, forming a solid base. Bake for 10 minutes until achieving a light golden hue.
- After removing the crust from the oven, strategically distribute chocolate chips and pecans across the surface, then generously drizzle caramel sauce, ensuring an even coverage.
- Delicately scatter the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer, gently pressing to create a unified topping.
- Return the dish to the oven, baking for 15-20 minutes until the surface turns a rich golden brown and caramel bubbles emerge around the edges.
- Allow the caramelitas to cool completely, ensuring structural integrity before slicing into delectable squares for serving.
Notes
- Customize the texture by adjusting the oat mixture’s consistency, ensuring a crisp yet chewy base that complements the gooey caramel layer.
- Swap regular flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or oat flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising taste.
- Try different chocolate varieties such as dark, milk, or white chocolate to create unique flavor profiles that suit individual preferences.
- Enhance nutritional value by incorporating chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts, adding extra crunch and healthy fats to the caramelitas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 221
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 97 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg