Chocolate Oatmeal Carmelitas

Chocolate Oatmeal Carmelitas are rich, buttery cookie bars layered with gooey caramel, melty chocolate, and a sweet oatmeal crumb crust. Every bite is chewy, chocolatey, and filled with caramel goodness—making these bars a must-have for bake sales, potlucks, or any sweet craving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These bars are incredibly simple to make but taste like they came from a fancy bakery. You only need basic pantry staples, and there’s no mixer required! The combination of oatmeal crust, chocolate chips, and caramel filling creates layers of texture and flavor that are completely irresistible. Plus, they freeze well and travel beautifully.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 jar (about 11 ounces) caramel sauce or 1 bag (11 ounces) caramel bits
• ¼ cup heavy cream (if using caramel bits)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in flour, oats, and baking soda until fully mixed.
3. Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes.
4. If using caramel bits, melt them with the heavy cream in a saucepan over low heat until smooth.
5. Remove crust from the oven. Sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips, then drizzle the caramel sauce or melted caramel over the chocolate layer.
6. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top.
7. Bake for 15–20 minutes more, or until the top is golden and the caramel is bubbling.
8. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars for clean cuts.

Servings and timing

Makes about 24 bars.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 25–30 minutes
Cooling time: At least 1 hour
Total time: About 1 hour 45 minutes

Variations

• Use dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate for a richer flavor.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
• Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the caramel layer for salted caramel Carmelitas.
• Use homemade caramel sauce if you want a from-scratch touch.

Storage/reheating

Store Chocolate Oatmeal Carmelitas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. These bars also freeze well for up to 2 months—wrap tightly and thaw at room temperature. No reheating needed!

FAQs

1. What are Carmelitas?

Carmelitas are classic layered cookie bars with an oatmeal crumb crust, chocolate chips, and gooey caramel.

2. Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

Old-fashioned oats give the best texture, but quick oats work in a pinch.

3. Do I have to use store-bought caramel sauce?

No! You can make homemade caramel or melt caramel candies with heavy cream.

4. Why did my bars fall apart?

Make sure they cool completely before cutting—they need time to set.

5. Can I make these gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.

6. Can I add nuts?

Absolutely! Pecans or walnuts are delicious in Carmelitas.

7. How do I keep the caramel from getting too hard?

Use heavy cream to keep melted caramel soft and gooey.

8. Can I double the recipe?

Yes! Bake in a larger sheet pan and adjust baking time slightly.

9. Should I store these in the fridge?

Room temperature is fine for a few days; for longer freshness, store in the fridge.

10. Are Carmelitas good for gifting?

Definitely! They’re sturdy, pack well, and always a hit.

Conclusion

Chocolate Oatmeal Carmelitas are a dreamy dessert bar with layers of sweet oatmeal, melty chocolate, and luscious caramel. They’re easy, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for any occasion. Once you try them, they’ll be a favorite in your baking rotation—guaranteed!

Print