Indulge in the decadence of Chocolate Carmelitas, a heavenly layered dessert bar that combines crumbly oatmeal shortbread, rich caramel, and two kinds of gooey chocolate. Perfectly baked in just 30 minutes, these treats start with a buttery oatmeal crust thatβs partially baked before being blanketed in a luscious layer of melted caramel and a blend of semisweet and milk chocolate chips. A final crumble of oatmeal dough creates a golden, crumb-topped masterpiece. With their soft, chewy texture and irresistible mix of flavors, these bars are a showstopping dessert for any occasion. Ideal for potlucks, parties, or an elevated weekday indulgence, Chocolate Carmelitas are as easy to make as they are delicious to devour. Donβt forget to let them cool completely to enjoy picture-perfect layered squares that melt in your mouth!
Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan, melt the butter completely. Stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, and baking soda. Pour the butter and sugar mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until well combined to form a crumbly dough.
Press half of the dough mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Reserve the other half for the topping.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. While baking, prepare the caramel mixture.
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the caramel bits (or unwrapped soft caramels) with the heavy cream, stirring frequently until smooth and completely melted.
Once the crust has baked, remove it from the oven and immediately sprinkle the semisweet and milk chocolate chips evenly over the hot crust.
Pour the melted caramel over the chocolate chips, ensuring it covers the surface evenly.
Crumble the reserved oatmeal dough over the caramel layer, creating an even topping.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown.
Allow the Carmelitas to cool completely in the pan to let the layers set (this may take up to a couple of hours). For quicker cooling, place in the refrigerator.
Once cooled, cut into squares or bars and enjoy!
Calories |
6327 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 299.7 g | 384% | |
| Saturated Fat | 177.4 g | 887% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 431 mg | 144% | |
| Sodium | 1513 mg | 66% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 873.6 g | 318% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.9 g | 118% | |
| Total Sugars | 587.8 g | ||
| Protein | 69.5 g | 139% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 866 mg | 67% | |
| Iron | 25.7 mg | 143% | |
| Potassium | 2630 mg | 56% | |
*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.