Easy Caramelitas Recipe

If you’re in the mood for a rich, gooey, and utterly indulgent dessert, this Easy Caramelitas Recipe is exactly what you need. With a buttery oat crust, a layer of creamy caramel, and melty chocolate chips, these bars are everything a sweet treat should be—chewy, chocolatey, and dangerously delicious. They’re also simple to make with pantry staples and perfect for bake sales, holidays, or just because.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Simple Ingredients – Made with easy-to-find pantry staples
No Mixer Needed – Just a bowl, a spoon, and your favorite baking dish
Irresistibly Gooey – Melted chocolate and caramel in every bite
Perfect for Sharing – Bake, slice, and bring to any gathering
Customizable – Add nuts, sea salt, or even a peanut butter swirl

Ingredients You’ll Need
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 jar (11 oz) caramel sauce or 1 bag (11 oz) soft caramels, unwrapped
2 tbsp heavy cream (only if using soft caramels)

Optional Add-ins
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Flaky sea salt for topping
Peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips

Tools You’ll Need
8×8 or 9×9-inch baking dish
Mixing bowls
Whisk or spoon
Parchment paper or nonstick spray
Small saucepan (if using caramels)

Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Crust and Topping
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a square baking dish with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter and brown sugar until combined.
Stir in the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt until a crumbly dough forms.
Press half of the mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan to form the crust.
Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and set aside.

Step 2: Melt the Caramel (if needed)
If using soft caramels, combine them with heavy cream in a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until melted and smooth.
If using jarred caramel sauce, simply warm it slightly to make it easier to pour.

Step 3: Assemble the Caramelitas
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the baked crust.
Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the chocolate layer.
Optional: Add nuts or extra chips now.
Crumble the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top to form a rustic topping.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Return the pan to the oven and bake for 15–18 more minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden.
Let cool completely in the pan. The bars will firm up as they cool.

Step 5: Slice and Serve
Once fully cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper.
Slice into squares or rectangles.
Optional: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.

Tips for Perfect Caramelitas
Let Them Cool – They’ll be gooey at first, but firm up as they sit.
Use Good Caramel – Jarred caramel with real dairy gives the best flavor.
Make Ahead – These store well and taste even better the next day.
Chill for Clean Cuts – Pop them in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before slicing.
Double It – Use a 9×13 pan and double the ingredients for a bigger batch.

Serving Suggestions
With a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Alongside hot coffee or chai
As a sweet addition to holiday cookie trays
Wrapped individually as edible gifts
With a drizzle of extra caramel on top

How to Store & Freeze
Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week
Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use quick oats? Old-fashioned oats are best for texture, but quick oats can work in a pinch
Can I make these gluten-free? Yes—use gluten-free oats and a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
What if I don’t have caramel sauce or soft caramels? Try dulce de leche or make a quick homemade caramel
Can I use white chocolate chips instead? Absolutely! Mix and match your favorite chips

Final Thoughts
This Easy Caramelitas Recipe is the definition of comfort baking. Buttery oats, rich chocolate, and gooey caramel all come together in one glorious, crowd-pleasing dessert bar. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself, these bars will become a go-to favorite. Try them once and you’ll see why they never last long.

Let me know how yours turn out and share your caramelitas on social—tag your creations so we can all drool together!

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Cuisine: American

Nutritional Information (Per Bar, makes 16):
Calories: 280 | Protein: 3g | Carbohydrates: 34g | Fat: 15g | Fiber: 2g | Sodium: 110mg

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