Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Squares (Carmelitas) Recipe

If you’re anything like me and have a serious sweet tooth for the perfect balance of chewy, gooey, and crunchy, then this Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Squares (Carmelitas) Recipe is about to become your new best friend. I absolutely love how these bars bring together buttery oats, rich caramel, and melty chocolate chips in every bite — it’s the kind of dessert that’s both nostalgic and irresistibly fresh. You’ll find that they’re fantastic for potlucks, afternoon snacks, or whenever you want to treat yourself without fussing over complicated ingredients.

When I first tried making these carmelitas, I was blown away by just how easy it was to get that caramel layer just right without it being too sticky or too hardened. Plus, the oats add a heartier texture that feels way more satisfying than your typical cookie bars. This Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Squares (Carmelitas) Recipe really delivers on flavor and texture, which is why I’m excited to share every step of it with you so you can enjoy that same “wow” moment in your own kitchen.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Squares (Carmelitas) Recipe comes from a simple combination of buttery oats, chewy caramel, and rich chocolate. Here’s a little insight into the ingredients that help bring it all together perfectly.

• Cooking spray: To easily grease the pan for a non-stick, smooth removal of your bars.
• All-purpose flour: Gives structure to your bars without weighing them down.
• Old-fashioned oats: They add that hearty, chewy texture – steel-cut or quick oats won’t work quite the same.
• Unsalted butter: Softened butter is key for that rich flavor and proper crumb texture.
• Light brown sugar: Packed brown sugar brings moisture and a subtle hint of molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with caramel.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds a lovely layer of flavor depth.
• Kosher salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance other flavors.
• Soft caramels: This bag of caramels melts down to that gooey caramel layer everyone adores.
• Whole milk: Helps thin the caramels just enough for that luscious pourable consistency.
• Flaky sea salt: Sprinkled on top of the caramel for a big flavor pop that cuts through the sweetness.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Classic melty chunks that contrast the caramel perfectly – you can swap for milk or dark chocolate chips if desired.

Variations

I love playing around with this Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Squares (Carmelitas) Recipe to suit different moods or ingredients I have on hand. Feel free to swap or add items to make it your own.

• Nutty Delight: I’ve added chopped pecans or walnuts right on top of the caramel layer before adding the oats–it gives a nice crunch and a cozy nutty flavor.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap butter for coconut oil and use dairy-free caramel candies and chocolate chips if you need a vegan-friendly version.
• Chocolate Variety: Sometimes I swap semisweet for dark chocolate chunks when I want a richer, less sweet bar.
• Salted Caramel Twist: Boost the sea salt on top or even sprinkle some smoked salt for an unexpected gourmet touch.

How to Make Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Squares (Carmelitas) Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Pan Ready and Oven Preheated

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Spray a 13 x 9-inch pan generously with cooking spray and then line it with parchment paper – this helps the bars lift out easily once they’re done. Trust me, parchment is a game-changer here.

Step 2: Mix Your Crumble Base

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, softened butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix everything until it just comes together into a crumbly but workable dough – you want the oats and sugar evenly distributed but still a bit loose. This crumbly texture is exactly what forms the buttery oat layers in these bars.

Step 3: Bake the Oatmeal Crust

Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. This will be your base crust. Bake it for about 12 minutes until it just starts to turn golden around the edges. Let it cool for 10 minutes – this step ensures the crust sets slightly so it holds the caramel layer well.

Step 4: Melt the Caramel

While the crust is baking, melt the caramels with the milk in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally so the caramel melts smoothly without burning, about 12 minutes. When melted, stir in the pinch of flaky sea salt for that crave-worthy salty-sweet balance. Be patient here, low and slow is the trick for silky caramel.

Step 5: Layer Chocolate, Caramel, and More Oats

Sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips evenly over the cooled crust. Then slowly pour the warm caramel over the chocolate, spreading gently if needed to cover. Immediately top the caramel layer with the reserved oat crumb mixture and press lightly to flatten. This top layer bakes into a crisp, golden oat topping that complements all the gooey layers underneath.

Step 6: Final Bake and Cool

Bake the assembled bars for about 25 minutes until the oat topping turns golden and you see the caramel bubbling around the edges. Once out of the oven, let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares – this step helps the caramel set so you get clean, gooey squares without messy drips.

How to Serve Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Squares (Carmelitas) Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a tiny extra pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking to enhance the caramel’s flavor—it just makes these squares pop. Sometimes I even toss on a few extra chocolate chips or some chopped nuts for an added texture and visual appeal when serving guests.

Side Dishes

These bars go wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert. I also enjoy pairing them with fresh berries or a hot cup of coffee or tea—makes for a perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these squares on a rustic wooden board layered with parchment paper, adding sprigs of rosemary or mint around for a fresh touch. Wrapping individual squares in parchment with a tied ribbon makes a lovely homemade gift presentation too—you’ll impress friends and family with these thoughtful touches!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Squares (Carmelitas) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, keeping them in the fridge helps the caramel hold up better and prevents melting, though I always recommend letting the bars come back to room temp before enjoying.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully! I wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When I want a sweet treat, I just thaw them overnight in the fridge or for an hour on the counter — the texture holds up really well, almost like freshly baked.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the squares in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds to soften the caramel slightly, or heat them briefly in a warm oven (around 300°F) wrapped in foil. Either way, you get that melty deliciousness back without sacrificing the oat crunch.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Squares (Carmelitas) Recipe holds a special place in my dessert rotation because it’s so reliable and downright delicious every time. Making these bars feels like a warm, comforting hug, and sharing them with friends and family always brings rave reviews. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy these chewy, gooey squares as much as I do — once you get the hang of it, they’ll be your go-to treat, just like they are for me!

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