Decadent Oatmeal Bars
Indulge in the ultimate sweet treat with these *Decadent Oatmeal Bars*, a rich and gooey dessert perfect for satisfying any craving. Each bite balances the nutty chew of rolled oats with layers of velvety caramel, melty semi-sweet chocolate, and a buttery oatmeal crumb topping. The secret to their luscious texture lies in the combination of sweetened condensed milk and melted caramels, creating a smooth, sticky filling that’s impossible to resist. These bars are simple to make with pantry-friendly ingredients like brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a touch of heavy cream, yet they deliver bakery-quality flavor. Whether you’re preparing them for a party, packing them for a picnic, or enjoying them as a late-night indulgence, these oatmeal bars are a crowd-pleasing favorite. Plus, they’re ready in under an hour, making them both quick and satisfying for when that sweet tooth calls.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 226 grams unsalted butter
- 200 grams light brown sugar, packed
- 50 grams granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 180 grams all-purpose flour
- 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 240 grams rolled oats
- 396 grams sweetened condensed milk
- 170 grams semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 200 grams caramels (unwrapped)
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to lift the bars out later. Lightly grease the parchment paper with butter or non-stick spray.
In a large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, remove from the heat and stir in the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract until smooth.
Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the butter mixture, stirring until fully combined. Fold in the rolled oats until the mixture forms a thick dough.
Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the base layer. Set aside the remaining one-third of the dough for the topping.
In a medium saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, caramels, and heavy cream. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the caramels are completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat.
Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the oatmeal base. Carefully pour the caramel mixture over the chocolate chips, spreading it into an even layer.
Crumble the reserved oatmeal dough over the caramel layer, creating a streusel-like topping. Do not worry about covering the caramel completely; some gaps are fine.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. For faster cooling, you can refrigerate them for 1–2 hours until the caramel layer is set.
Once completely cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into 16 squares or desired servings with a sharp knife. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
7339 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 329.7 g | 423% | |
| Saturated Fat | 189.6 g | 948% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 694 mg | 231% | |
| Sodium | 2710 mg | 118% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1035.4 g | 377% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 41.7 g | 149% | |
| Total Sugars | 679.1 g | ||
| Protein | 106.5 g | 213% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 1636 mg | 126% | |
| Iron | 25.9 mg | 144% | |
| Potassium | 3296 mg | 70% | |
*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.
