The Most Addictive Carmelitas Recipe for Sweet Tooth Joy

Sweet dreams meet reality when these gooey caramel chocolate chip caramelitas hit your kitchen counter.

Layers of buttery oats create a crumbly foundation for decadent chocolate and rich caramel.

Every bite promises a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Crisp edges give way to molten centers packed with unexpected deliciousness.

Memories of childhood bakeries blend seamlessly with sophisticated dessert crafting.

Simple ingredients merge into something extraordinary through careful technique and a dash of love.

Grab a plate and let these irresistible bars become your next obsession.

What Makes Carmelitas So Addictive

• Quick and Easy Dessert: Whip up these delectable Carmelitas in just 30 minutes of active preparation, making them perfect for spontaneous sweet cravings or last-minute gatherings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Texture Sensation: Experience a delightful combination of crispy oat crust, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate chips that creates an irresistible treat everyone will love.
• Minimal Cleanup Comfort: Using just one bowl and simple ingredients, this recipe offers hassle-free baking with maximum flavor payoff, allowing you to enjoy delicious treats without extensive kitchen cleanup.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be prepared in advance and stored at room temperature, making them ideal for potlucks, bake sales, or casual weekend desserts that taste even better the next day.

Carmelitas Ingredient Checklist

• Butter: Rich base that helps bind the crust and provides delicious flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep sweetness and helps create a chewy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.

• Flour: Provides structure and helps bind ingredients together.
• Oats: Creates a hearty, textured base with nutty undertones.
• Baking Soda: Helps the mixture rise and creates a lighter texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Caramels: Soft, sweet center that creates a gooey, rich layer.
• Heavy Cream: Helps melt caramels and creates a smooth, silky texture.
• Chocolate Chips: Adds rich chocolate flavor and melty indulgence.

Steps To Make Carmelitas

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grab an 8×8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper or give it a generous butter coating.

Step 2: Create the Crumbly Base

• Melted butter
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract

Whisk these ingredients until they form a smooth, harmonious blend.

Step 3: Build the Oat Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Rolled oats
• Baking soda
• Salt

Mix thoroughly until the mixture transforms into a thick, crumbly texture.

Step 4: Form the First Layer

Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a solid foundation.

Step 5: Initial Baking

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes until the base sets slightly.

Step 6: Prepare the Caramel Drizzle

• Soft caramel candies
• Heavy cream

Use the microwave, zapping in 30-second bursts and stirring between each interval until silky smooth.

Step 7: Layer the Chocolate and Caramel

Once the base emerges from the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips evenly across the surface. Gently pour the molten caramel over the chips, spreading it to create a luxurious blanket.

Step 8: Add the Crumbly Topping

Scatter the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer, creating a rustic, uneven covering.

Step 9: Final Baking

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. Look for a golden-brown top and bubbly edges that signal perfection.

Step 10: Cool and Slice

Allow the Carmelitas to cool completely – patience is key! Let them rest for at least 2 hours so the caramel can set firmly. Slice into bars and enjoy the gooey, rich masterpiece you’ve created.

Smart Tips For Carmelitas Success

• Prevent Sticky Situations: Line your baking dish with parchment paper or grease it well to ensure easy removal of Carmelitas without tearing or sticking.
• Master the Crumble: Mix the oat base thoroughly but avoid overmixing, which can make the crust dense and tough instead of delightfully crumbly.
• Caramel Care: Melt caramels and cream slowly in short microwave intervals, stirring between each to create a smooth, lump-free caramel sauce without burning.
• Cooling is Key: Allow Carmelitas to cool completely for at least 2 hours, which helps the caramel set and ensures clean, neat bar cuts.
• Customize Your Treat: Swap chocolate chips for butterscotch or add chopped nuts to the caramel layer for a personalized flavor twist.

How To Store Carmelitas For Later

• Refrigerate Carmelitas in an airtight container for up to 5 days, ensuring they remain fresh and delicious.
• Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their perfect texture.
• Freeze these delectable bars for longer storage by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap, then placing in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying, allowing the bars to return to their original soft and gooey consistency.

Good Matches For Carmelitas

• Pair with Velvety Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream alongside warm Carmelitas for a delightful temperature contrast that melts into the gooey caramel and chocolate layers.
• Match with Rich Coffee: Brew a bold, dark roast coffee to complement the sweet caramel and chocolate notes, cutting through the richness of the dessert bar.
• Enhance with Salted Caramel Latte: Elevate the dessert experience by sipping a homemade salted caramel latte that echoes the caramel flavors and adds a sophisticated touch to the treat.
• Complement with Nutty Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red wine with nutty undertones, like a Pinot Noir, to balance the sweetness and provide a grown-up pairing option.

Tasty Tweaks For Carmelitas

• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Replace half the oats with chopped pecans or almonds for extra texture and rich, toasted flavor. The nuts add a delightful crunch that complements the smooth caramel perfectly.
• Berry Caramel Fusion: Sprinkle fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries between the chocolate chip and caramel layers. The tart berries create a beautiful contrast with the sweet caramel and chocolate.
• Salted Caramel Expedition: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the caramel layer before adding the final crumb topping. The salt intensifies the caramel's depth and provides a sophisticated flavor profile.
• Coconut Caramel Dream: Mix shredded coconut into the oat crumb mixture for a tropical-inspired version. The coconut adds a subtle sweetness and creates a more complex texture to the classic Carmelitas.

Carmelitas FAQ Section

• What makes Carmelitas so special?

These bars combine the rich, gooey goodness of caramel with chocolate and a buttery oat crust, creating an irresistible dessert that’s both chewy and crumbly.

• Can I use different types of chocolate?

Absolutely! While chocolate chips work best, you can experiment with milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate to match your taste preferences.

• Why do I need to let Carmelitas cool completely?

Cooling allows the caramel to set properly, ensuring clean cuts and preventing the bars from falling apart when you slice them. Patience is key to getting that perfect texture.

• Is this recipe good for make-ahead treats?

Yes! Carmelitas are perfect for preparing in advance. They actually taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together, making them great for potlucks or weekend desserts.

Carmelitas Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

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

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Description

Chocolate and caramel intertwine magically in Carmelitas, creating an irresistible dessert that melts hearts with each gooey bite. Rich oatmeal cookie layers embrace silky caramel and chocolate chips, promising pure indulgence you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar, packed
• 1 ¼ cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (90 grams) old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup (170 grams) semisweet chocolate chips

Caramel Components:

• 1 (11 ounces/312 grams) bag caramel bits or 30 soft caramels, unwrapped
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare a cozy baking environment by warming the oven to 350F and crafting a perfectly lined baking vessel with parchment paper or a generous butter coating.
2. Craft a luxurious base by whisking melted butter, rich brown sugar, and aromatic vanilla into a silky, harmonious mixture.
3. Integrate dry ingredients – flour, hearty oats, baking soda, and salt – creating a textured, crumbly foundation that promises delectable layers.
4. Gently compress half of the oat mixture into the prepared dish, forming a sturdy, even base layer that will cradle the upcoming flavors.
5. Allow the crust to transform in the oven for 10 minutes, developing a golden, promising landscape.
6. Meanwhile, orchestrate a velvety caramel sauce by tenderly melting caramels with heavy cream, stirring patiently until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency.
7. Strategically scatter chocolate chips across the freshly baked, warm crust, then cascade the molten caramel mixture, spreading with delicate precision.
8. Artfully sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the caramel landscape, creating a rustic, textured topping.
9. Return the creation to the oven, allowing it to bake for 15-18 minutes until the surface achieves a beautiful golden hue and edges bubble with anticipation.
10. Exercise patience by letting the dessert cool completely, ideally for two hours, which enables the caramel to set and flavors to harmonize before slicing into decadent bars.

Notes

• Chilling the bars helps create clean, precise cuts and prevents caramel from oozing.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals to make the recipe inclusive.
• Use dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet flavor profile that complements the caramel’s richness.
• Enhance texture by toasting oats briefly before mixing for a deeper, nuttier undertone in the base layer.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 237
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 85 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg