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–+ servings
close up shot of Carmelitas bars stacked on top of each other
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5 from 2 votes

Carmelitas

These soft, gooey homemade carmelitas are filled different layers of decadent sweetness that caramel lovers will adore.
Prep Time12 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time42 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Carmelitas Recipe
Servings: 24
Calories: 299kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 cups oats
  • 1½ cups brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1½ cups butter, melted
  • 2 bags Kraft pea-size caramels (11-ounce bags)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup walnuts, chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  • Line a 9x13 pan with foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
  • Stir in the melted butter until well blended.
  • Press HALF of this oat mixture into the bottom of the foil-lined pan. Set the other half of the oat mixture aside.
  • Bake the crust in the oven for 8 minutes.
  • While the crust is baking, in a medium pan over low heat, melt the caramels and cream, stirring occasionally until smooth. Then add in the vanilla.
  • Remove the pan that has been baking in the oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips and walnuts.
  • Pour the caramel mixture over the top of the chips and walnuts.
  • Crumble the remaining oat mixture evenly on top of everything and press down gently on the oat mixture.
  • Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
  • Let the bars cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • The salt helps create a beautiful balance to the sweetness of this dessert, don't skip it.
  •  Line the pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. This makes clean-up a breeze because these are very ooey-gooey and messy. 
  • Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your crust as the suggested baking time approaches.
  • Let the bars cool completely before slicing. Even though they’re tempting, don’t slice too soon or they’ll fall apart because of the melted chocolate and gooey caramel inside!

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 427IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg