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Carmelitas

Decadent Carmelitas: Gooey Bars You’ll Love to Make

These Carmelitas are chewy layered dessert bars with a buttery oatmeal crust and gooey caramel, making them a delightful sweet escape from the mundane.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 1 cup unsalted butter can substitute with salted butter but reduce added salt slightly
  • 1 cup brown sugar light brown sugar gives a softer taste, dark brown sugar adds depth
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour can consider 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
  • 2 cups rolled oats opt for old-fashioned oats; avoid instant oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda ensures the base remains tender and fluffy
For the Gooey Layer
  • 1 cup caramel sauce or caramel candies + cream store-bought sauce or melted soft candies with cream
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate) semi-sweet balances flavors, milk chocolate adds creaminess
Final Touch
  • 1 pinch salt (optional) enhances the caramel's flavor

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch pan
  • medium saucepan
  • Parchment Paper

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Carmelitas
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper and grease lightly.
  2. Melt 1 cup of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over low heat and stir in 1 cup of brown sugar until combined.
  3. Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 2 cups of rolled oats, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda, mixing until a crumbly dough forms.
  4. Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the lined pan and bake for 10 minutes until slightly golden.
  5. Sprinkle 1 cup of chocolate chips over the warm base, then drizzle 1 cup of caramel sauce over the chips.
  6. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer to cover as much as possible.
  7. Return to the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes until the top is golden brown and edges are set.
  8. Cool at room temperature for 2-3 hours before slicing to maintain structure.

Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 500IUCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For added flavor, consider using flaky sea salt before baking. Store in an airtight container; can also be frozen for longer storage.

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