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Caramelitas

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Caramelitas are rich, gooey dessert bars featuring layers of buttery oat crust, luscious caramel, and melted chocolate. Perfect for potlucks, parties, or whenever you crave an indulgent treat!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Oat Crust and Topping:

  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup (200 g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (120 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt

For the Filling:

  • 1 cup (300 g) caramel sauce or dulce de leche (store-bought or homemade)
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups (265 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

2. Make the Oat Mixture:

  • In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir in the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

3. Assemble the Bottom Layer:

  • Press half of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.

4. Prepare the Caramel Filling:

  • While the bottom layer bakes, mix the caramel sauce with the heavy cream in a small bowl.

5. Layer the Filling:

  • Sprinkle the partially baked crust with the chocolate chips and nuts (if using). Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the top.

6. Add the Topping:

  • Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer, spreading it as evenly as possible.

7. Bake:

  • Return the pan to the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.

8. Cool and Serve:

  • Let the bars cool completely in the pan. For clean cuts, refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing. Remove from the pan using the parchment paper overhang, slice into squares, and serve.

Notes

  • For a salted caramel twist, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the caramel layer before adding the topping.
  • Store Caramelitas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
  • These bars freeze well—wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Find it online: https://ukfinda.com/caramelitas/