Caramelitas Recipe

Introduction

Caramelitas are a delightful treat combining chewy oats, rich caramel, and melted chocolate for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. These bars are simple to make and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats
• ¾ cup melted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 bag of soft caramels (around 11 oz)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Step 1: Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
2. Step 2: In a small saucepan, combine the soft caramels and heavy cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the caramels melt and the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, rolled oats, and baking soda until well combined.
4. Step 4: Press half of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a crust.
5. Step 5: Bake the crust for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the crust, then pour the caramel mixture on top.
6. Step 6: Spread the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer to create a top crust.
7. Step 7: Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
8. Step 8: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor or add chopped nuts for extra crunch.
• If you can’t find soft caramels, substitute with caramel sauce but reduce the heavy cream to avoid a runny texture.
• Press the oat mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars hold together better.

Storage

Store the caramelitas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week. To reheat, warm briefly in the microwave to soften the caramel before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular caramel candies instead of soft caramels?

Soft caramels melt more smoothly, but you can use regular caramels by chopping them finely and heating gently with the cream. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent burning.

How can I make the bars less sweet?

Reduce the brown sugar to ½ cup and consider using semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate to balance the sweetness.

Caramelitas Recipe

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4.9 from 136 reviews

Caramelitas are rich, chewy bars made with a buttery oat crust, a luscious layer of melted caramels and cream, and studded with chocolate chips. These homemade bars combine the comforting flavors of caramel, chocolate, and oats into a perfect sweet treat, baked to golden perfection and ideal for dessert or snacks.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Oat Crust

• 1 cup rolled oats
• ¾ cup melted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Filling

• 1 bag soft caramels (around 11 oz)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan and Oven: Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking.
2. Melt the Caramel Mixture: In a small saucepan set over medium heat, combine the soft caramels with the heavy cream. Stir continuously to melt the caramels evenly until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Mix the Oat Crust Ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, rolled oats, and baking soda. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and form a cohesive oat mixture.
4. Form the Bottom Crust: Take half of the oat mixture and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a solid base layer for the bars.
5. Bake the Bottom Crust: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 10 minutes. This pre-baking step helps set the oat base for layering.
6. Add Chocolate and Caramel Layers: Remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the baked crust. Immediately pour the smooth caramel mixture over the chocolate chips to create the filling layer.
7. Top with Remaining Oat Mixture: Take the remaining half of the oat mixture and spread it evenly over the caramel layer, pressing gently to form the top crust.
8. Bake Until Golden: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the top crust is nicely browned and set.
9. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the caramelitas to cool completely in the pan. This cooling process helps the bars set firmly, making them easier to cut into squares before serving.

Notes

• Ensure the caramel mixture is smooth before pouring to avoid lumps in the filling.
• Press the oat mixture firmly to prevent crumbly bars.
• Use a sharp knife to cut bars once fully cooled for clean edges.
• Store the caramelitas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
• Optional: Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added crunch.

Keywords: caramelitas, caramel bars, oat bars, chocolate caramel bars, baked dessert bars, caramel chocolate dessert