This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy
Caramelitas – An easy bar cookie with a buttery oatmeal cookie base and filled with chocolate and gooey caramel.
If you have not tried a caramelita before you are missing out! It is a buttery oatmeal cookie type base that is filled with gooey caramel and plenty of chocolate. They are super easy to make, sweet, decadent, and delicious! It is kind of like a cross between an Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie with the Caramel Brownie filling.
Why You’ll Love These Caramelitas
- Easy – these bar cookies come together in just about 5 minutes, with no hard to find ingredients, and you don’t have to scoop out and bake a few trays of cookies.
- Delicious – gooey caramel and chocolate together is just a tasty combination!
- Mix It Up – you can play with the chocolate in this recipe to make it more or less sweet. And if you aren’t a fan of sweet desserts you could do a salted caramel layer for a twist.
What You’ll Need
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Butter – I always use unsalted when baking
- Light Brown Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- All-Purpose Flour
- Old Fashioned Oats
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Caramels – you want the chewy individually wrapped caramels
- Heavy Cream
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
How To Make Caramelitas
- Make Dough – In a bowl stir together the melted butter, brown sugar and vanilla until the mixture is smooth. Add in the flour, oats, baking soda and salt and mix until it just comes together. Spread half of the mixture into an lined 8-inch square pan. Bake for 10 minutes, just to start to set the cookie base.
- Melt Caramels – meanwhile, melt together the caramels and heavy cream until smooth. I add to a microwave safe bowl and heat on 45 second intervals, stirring after each time until it is melted.
- Bake – pour the melted caramel over the cookie dough base. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and crumble the remaining dough over the top. Bake for 15-20 more minutes until golden brown and completely set. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing.
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
- This is one of those recipes that I think you really need to use the old fashioned rolled oats. The quick cooking oats are too fine and will not create a sturdy enough base for the caramel and chocolate layer.
- Not a fan of sweet desserts, try using dark chocolate chips and a sprinkle of salt over the caramel. This adds a whole new dimension to the bars.
- Feel free to double the recipe and bake in a 13×9 inch pan.
- Let the bars cool completely before slicing. You want to let the caramel set back up some, or it will be a mess when you cut them and you will lose a lot of the filling.
What Kind Of Caramel To Use
You want to use individually wrapped chewy caramels. Both Kraft and Werthers make versions that are great for this. You could use Homemade Caramels, but that seems like a lot of extra work to me. I don’t advise using caramel sauce, because it will not set up as the bars cool and will always be a runny mess.
Storage
Store your caramelitas in an airtight container or just cover the pan you baked them in. They will last at room temperature for 3-4 days. If you store them in the fridge be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving, you don’t want anyone to break a tooth on the caramel.
Freezing – you can definitely freeze these bars for 4-5 months. Just let them thaw on the counter before serving.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Shortbread
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
- Cake Mix Brownies
- Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Special K Bars
- Oatmeal Cake
Caramelitas
Ingredients
Oatmeal Bars
- 3/4 cup salted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 bag, 14 oz caramels, unwrapped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Heavily grease or line an 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper as caramel will stick to sides.
- In a bowl mix butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix until well combined. Spread 1/2 of dough into prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes.3/4 cup salted butter, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup old-fashioned oats, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Meanwhile melt caramels and heavy cream together.1 bag, 1/2 cup heavy cream
- After removing pan from oven, sprinkle chocolate chips over dough. Pour caramel on top and spread into an even layer. Crumble last 1/2 of dough over top. It does not need to cover perfectly. Return to oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Let cool completely before serving and cut into squares.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I created a fun group on Facebook,and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS recipes YOU make!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
.
I made your Caramelitas for a work potluck, and they disappeared in minutes! The combination of gooey caramel and chocolate with the oatmeal crust is truly addictive.
These are so good! I had no idea they’re so easy to make! Glad I found this recipe!
We love these! They’re super simple to make….the caramel and chocolate together is such a great combination. They’re always gone so quickly when I make them.
I would probably eat the whole pan myself! These look amazing