Get ready to fall in love with our Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars, also known as Carmelitas! These bars are the ultimate indulgence with layers of gooey caramel, melty chocolate, and a buttery oat crust.
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What Are Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars?
Chocolate chip caramel bars, often called carmelitas, are a heavenly combination of chewy oats, rich caramel, and chocolate. We start with a delicious buttery oat base and top it with a thick layer of homemade caramel and chocolate chips, then finish it with more oats. The result is a multi-layered, flavor-packed snack that’s both sweet and slightly salty as well as ooey-gooey and satisfyingly crispy.
This recipe is perfect for people who love a little bit of everything in their desserts! The oats add a wholesome chewiness to bars, while the caramel gives them a luscious texture that melts in your mouth. And don’t forget those chocolate chips or chunks! They melt just enough to create pockets of rich, chocolatey goodness throughout.
Ingredients You Need
- Butter – Butter adds rich flavor and helps create the perfect crumbly texture in the base. Use unsalted to control the saltiness.
- Dark Brown Sugar – This sweetens the bars and adds a molasses flavor.
- Vanilla Extract – Vanilla brings out the flavors of the other ingredients and gives the bars a warm flavor and fragrance.
- All-Purpose Flour – This is what provides structure for the bars. Be sure to sift it to get rid of any lumps.
- Rolled Old-Fashioned Oats – These oats give the bars a hearty texture and a little bit of chewiness.
- Baking Soda – A leavening agent, baking soda helps the bars rise slightly and gives them a light texture.
- Sea Salt – A pinch or so of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other ingredients.
- Caramel Squares – These melt into a luscious caramel layer. Unwrap them ahead of time to save effort while prepping the bars — it’s a great task for little ones who want to help in the kitchen!
- Heavy Cream – Using heavy cream is the key to making the caramel extra creamy and smooth.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or Chunks – These add rich, chocolatey deliciousness to the bars. We like using semi-sweet because it balances the sweetness of the caramel perfectly.
- Unsalted Butter – We use butter in the caramel sauce so that it’s irresistibly silky smooth!
- Whole Egg + Yolk – These add moisture and richness and help to give the bar structure.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars
- Mix Butter and Sugar. Add the softened butter and dark brown sugar to a large bowl and beat until completely combined.
- Add Egg and Vanilla. Whisk the egg, yolk, and vanilla into the butter and brown sugar mixture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients. Once the egg, yolk, and vanilla are combined, stir in the flour, oats, baking soda, and sea salt. Mix until just combined, then fold in half of the chocolate chips.
- Layer the Mixture. Press two-thirds of the oat mixture evenly into the prepared pan lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with cooking spray.
- Pre-Bake the Base. Bake the base layer briefly.
- Make the Caramel Sauce. Add the caramel squares, heavy cream, butter, and a pinch of sea salt to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth.
- Add Chocolate Chips. After taking the baked base out of the oven, add the rest of the chocolate chips to the top.
- Pour the Caramel. Add the melted caramel to the top, ensuring that it evenly covers the base and the chocolate chips.
- Top and Bake Again. Place the rest of the oat mixture over the top in crumbles. Then, bake until the bars are a little bit bubbly and the edges become a light golden brown.
Variations
- Nuts– Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the oat mixture for even more crunch.
- Espresso – Mix a teaspoon of instant espresso powder into the caramel for a rich coffee flavor.
- Salted Caramel – Sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt over the caramel layer for a delicious sweet and salty combination!
- Chocolate – Swap out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.
- Dried Fruit – Add a handful of dried cranberries or cherries to the oat mixture for a fruity twist.
Can I Store Leftovers?
If your family is anything like ours, you may not have many leftovers after you make these! But if you do, you can easily store them.
While you can store these at room temperature, we find that they maintain their texture better in the fridge. Just transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to a week.
For longer storage, freeze the bars in individual portions and thaw before serving for a quick snack!
More Caramel Desserts
Silky, smooth caramel is at the top of our list of go-to’s when we have a sweet tooth! If you’re like us, you won’t want to miss more of our drool-worthy desserts that are guaranteed to satisfy your caramel cravings!
Slow Cooker Chocolate Caramel Pecan Clusters
Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars (Caramelitas)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1 whole egg + yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups rolled old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks, divided
- 35 wrapped caramel squares
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Lining your pan is highly recommended for ease of cleanup due to the stickiness of the caramel; set pan aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the softened butter and dark brown sugar until smooth.3/4 cup butter, softened, 1 cup dark brown sugar
- Add egg + yolk, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.1 whole egg + yolk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Add the flour, oats, baking soda, and sea salt. Stir until combined. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups rolled old-fashioned oats, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks, divided
- Add 2/3 of the mixture to the prepared pan (just eyeball it), and smooth it with a spatula or the back of a spoon to create an even, smooth, flat layer; set the remainder aside.
- Bake for 10 minutes. While it bakes, make the caramel sauce.
- In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, combine the caramels, cream, butter, and sea salt. Heat on high power in 60-second bursts to melt the caramels, stirring after each burst.35 wrapped caramel squares, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- After 10 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and evenly sprinkle with the remaining chocolate.
- Slowly and evenly pour the caramel sauce over the chocolate.
- Evenly crumble the reserved oatmeal-brown sugar mixture over the top. Return the pan to the oven and bake for about 15 to 18 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned and the center is bubbling slightly.
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I use the Dulce leche in replacement of the caramel sauce?
We haven’t tested it but think it would work! We’d love to know how it goes if you give it a try. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
These are a new favorite! 😍
Is it possible to add a layer of nuts?
Sure! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa