Indulge in the ultimate sweet treat with these irresistible Chocolate Oatmeal Almost Candy Bars! Featuring layers of buttery oat crust, gooey milk chocolate filling, and a drizzle of luxurious salted caramel, this recipe perfectly blends classic comfort with decadent flavors. The use of old-fashioned rolled oats gives the bars a hearty texture, while optional chopped pecans add a delightful nutty crunch. These easy-to-make dessert bars come together in just 45 minutes, making them perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or impressing guests at gatherings. Whether served as a snack or a dessert, these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined and crumbly.
Press two-thirds of the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish to form an even crust. Reserve the remaining oatmeal mixture for the topping.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then remove it and set it aside to cool slightly while preparing the filling.
In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the milk chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Stir continuously until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
Pour the melted chocolate mixture evenly over the baked crust. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the chocolate layer, and if desired, sprinkle the chopped pecans on top.
Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture evenly over the top of the filling to create a crumbly layer.
Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for another 15-18 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling slightly at the edges.
Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out of the dish.
Cut into bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Calories |
7340 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 300.6 g | 385% | |
| Saturated Fat | 155.6 g | 778% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 490 mg | 163% | |
| Sodium | 4072 mg | 177% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1090.2 g | 396% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.5 g | 102% | |
| Total Sugars | 766.7 g | ||
| Protein | 107.0 g | 214% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 2064 mg | 159% | |
| Iron | 26.1 mg | 145% | |
| Potassium | 4019 mg | 86% | |
*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.