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Carmelitas are an easy, chewy bar cookie for serious caramel lovers! An oat cookie crust layered with salted caramel sauce and chocolate chips for a salted caramel chocolate flavor explosion!

Caramelita Cookie Bars three stacked with caramel

There is something sneaky addicting about these bars. I think it’s the oats that pull all the flavors together so, somehow, you can’t stop going back for more. More carmelitas, just one more…it’s ok, I’ll have just one more after that! The salted caramel sauce, the savory oats, the sweet chocolate and brown sugar in the dough. It all just works.

Caramelita Cookie Bars on blue surface with caramel
Seven Layer Bars Stacked.
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It works so well that it made the cut as one of the six chewy bar cookies in my shops Classic Bar Cookie Tin.

Caramelita Cookie Bars detail side view

If you’re a fan of caramel (and I mean, who isn’t?!), might I so humbly also suggest these Cashew Caramel Pretzel Blondies? Running right up to the line of “too much” is a favorite hobby of mine. I almost added M&M’s to those blondies but I felt like that was maybe over the line. Or, if you’re feeling classic, my Caramel Apple Tart with Cinnamon Streusel Topping is epic! You also can’t go wrong with caramel butter bars or caramel cupcakes!

Caramelita Cookie Bars on blue surface detailed top view
Caramelita Cookie Bars two stacked with caramel
5 from 1 ratings

Carmelitas

Carmelitas are an easy, chewy bar cookie for serious caramel lovers! An oat cookie crust layered with salted caramel sauce and chocolate chips for a salted caramel chocolate flavor explosion!
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 16 people

Ingredients 
 

Makes: 8 x 8inch rectangle

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray and line your chosen pan with parchment.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, flour, oats, soda and salt. Mix on low speed to combine. You can also melt the butter and then mix the dough by hand.
  • Press half of the mix into the bottom of half sheet pan. Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until light golden brown. It will take closer to 10 in a ceramic dish and less than 8 in a metal dish.
  • While still warm spread caramel onto base and sprinkle with chocolate. Crumble remaining dough over the top. Bake again for approximately 4 minutes.
  • Cool completely before cutting.

Video

Notes

This will also fit into a 9×11 inch pan but the base will be a little thinner. Personally I would bump up the chocolate chips and salted caramel sauce by half just to make sure there is enough.

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 327mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 295IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 284
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Caramelitas
Caramelitas

Hi, I’m Chef Lindsey!

I am the baker, recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind Chef Lindsey Farr. I believe in delicious homemade food and the power of dessert!

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Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I have been making these for more years than I would like to admit. Every time I make them I get asked for the recipe. The recipe I use is about double this and is made in a 13×9. They never last long. Using homemade caramel is the “secret”.