Description
Deliciously chewy and rich caramelitas feature a buttery oat crust layered with gooey caramel, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and crunchy pecans. This American dessert bar combines sweet, nutty, and chocolate flavors for a perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (11 oz) bag soft caramels, unwrapped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Additional Toppings
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until a crumbly dough forms. Press half of this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes to set the base.
- Melt the caramel: While the crust is baking, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine the unwrapped caramels and heavy cream. Stir frequently until the caramels are completely melted and the mixture is smooth, creating a luscious caramel sauce.
- Add toppings and assemble layers: Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips and chopped pecans over the crust. Pour the melted caramel mixture over this layer. Then, crumble the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top to create a textured finish.
- Bake the caramelitas: Return the assembled pan to the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly, indicating the caramel layer is set and the topping is cooked through.
- Cool and chill: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. For best results, refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours to firm up the bars, making them easier to slice cleanly.
- Serve: Slice into 16 bars using a sharp knife and enjoy your delicious caramelitas as a delightful dessert or snack.
Notes
- For easier slicing, chill the caramelitas longer and use a sharp knife to prevent crumbling.
- You can omit the pecans if desired or substitute them with walnuts for a different nutty flavor.
- Store leftover bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
