Caramel Pecan Oatmeal Bars
Indulge in the irresistible combination of buttery oats, gooey caramel, and crunchy pecans with these Caramel Pecan Oatmeal Bars! Perfectly golden and layered with a rich caramel filling, this dessert features a crumbly oat base and topping that sandwich a molten caramel and pecan center. With just 20 minutes of prep time, these bars are surprisingly simple to make using pantry staples like brown sugar, old-fashioned oats, and vanilla, plus a package of caramel candies for that signature sweetness. Ideal for potlucks, holiday desserts, or an afternoon treat, these bars boast a balance of textures and flavors that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you're looking for a rich caramel dessert or a nutty oatmeal treat, these bars are a must-try crowd-pleaser.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 package (about 11 ounces) caramel candies
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 cup pecans
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal later.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of unsalted butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 cups of old-fashioned oats, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. The mixture will be crumbly.
Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, reserving the rest for the topping. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.
While the base is baking, unwrap the caramel candies and combine with 3 tablespoons of heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until smooth, then remove from heat.
Sprinkle 1 cup of roughly chopped pecans over the baked oatmeal base. Pour the melted caramel mixture evenly over the pecans.
Crumble the remaining oatmeal dough over the caramel layer, pressing slightly to adhere.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 20-22 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown.
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. For faster cooling, you can refrigerate them for about an hour.
Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into 16 squares and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
407 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.9 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.2 g | 51% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 131 mg | 6% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 51.9 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.8 g | ||
| Protein | 4.1 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 50 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 141 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
