Caramelitas – Gooey, Buttery Oatmeal Caramel Bars You’ll Fall in Love With

If there’s one dessert that perfectly balances buttery richness, gooey caramel, and chocolate indulgence, it’s Caramelitas. These legendary cookie bars are the ultimate comfort dessert — a chewy oatmeal crust and topping sandwiching a luscious caramel-chocolate center that melts in your mouth.

Caramelitas originated as a home-style bakery treat and quickly became a beloved classic across generations. Every bite combines the best parts of an oatmeal cookie, a gooey brownie, and a decadent candy bar — making it nearly impossible to stop at just one square.

Why You’ll Love This Caramelitas Recipe

• Ultra Gooey Texture: That molten caramel layer in the middle makes these bars absolutely irresistible.
• Simple Ingredients: All pantry staples — butter, oats, brown sugar, and caramel.
• No Mixer Needed: Just a few bowls and a spoon.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Potlucks, holidays, bake sales, or cozy nights in.
• Freezer-Friendly: Store and reheat perfectly without losing flavor or texture.

These bars are decadent yet surprisingly easy, which is why they’ve stood the test of time.

What Are Caramelitas?

Caramelitas are oatmeal cookie bars layered with gooey caramel and chocolate chips. The crust and topping are made from a buttery brown sugar oat mixture, while the filling combines melted caramel and chocolate to create a rich, chewy center.

They’re baked in two stages: first, the bottom crust to form a solid base, and then a second bake after the caramel and chocolate layers are added. The result? A heavenly dessert that’s crisp on the edges, chewy in the center, and perfectly balanced in sweetness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Oatmeal Crust and Topping:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Caramel Layer:

• 35–40 soft caramel candies (such as Kraft or Werther’s)
• ½ cup heavy cream

Filling:

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Make the Crust and Topping:
   In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
   Add flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix until fully combined and crumbly.
3. Form the Base:
   Press half of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Reserve the other half for the topping.
4. Bake the Bottom Layer:
   Bake for 10 minutes, just until lightly set. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
5. Prepare the Caramel:
   While the crust bakes, melt the caramel candies with heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. (You can also microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time.)
6. Assemble the Layers:
   Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the partially baked crust. Pour the melted caramel mixture over the top, spreading gently with a spatula. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer.
7. Bake Again:
   Return to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
8. Cool Completely:
   Allow the bars to cool for at least 3–4 hours, or until set. For cleaner slices, chill in the refrigerator before cutting.
9. Slice and Serve:
   Lift from the pan using parchment overhang, cut into squares, and enjoy that first gooey bite!

Caramelitas

These Caramelitas are the ultimate dessert bars – soft, buttery oat layers filled with gooey caramel and melted chocolate. Sweet, salty, and completely irresistible, they’re a crowd-pleasing treat for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 16 bars

Course: Bars, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Oatmeal Crust and Topping

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1.5 cups brown sugar packed
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter melted

Filling

• 1 package (14 oz) soft caramels unwrapped
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Saucepan
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Whisk
• Spatula

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. Stir in melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared pan to form the base. Bake for 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a saucepan over low heat, melt caramels with heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth.
6. Remove the crust from the oven. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the hot crust.
7. Pour melted caramel mixture evenly over the chocolate chips.
8. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture on top, pressing lightly to adhere.
9. Bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. Cool completely before cutting into bars. For clean cuts, refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing.

Notes

For extra indulgence, drizzle with melted chocolate once cooled. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Tips for Perfect Caramelitas

• Use Parchment Paper: Makes removal and slicing easier.
• Cool Fully: The caramel sets as it cools, so patience pays off!
• Don’t Overbake: The bars continue to firm up as they cool — pull them when the top is golden and bubbling.
• Use High-Quality Caramel: Avoid hard caramel candies — soft caramels melt more smoothly.
• Want a Shortcut? Use store-bought caramel sauce (thick variety) in place of melted candies.

Variations You’ll Love

1. Salted Caramelitas:
   Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the caramel before adding the top layer for an addictive sweet-salty combo.
2. Peanut Butter Caramelitas:
   Add ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter to the caramel layer for a nutty twist.
3. Nutty Caramelitas:
   Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the oat topping for extra crunch.
4. Dark Chocolate Lovers:
   Swap semisweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate chunks for a richer flavor.
5. Gluten-Free Option:
   Use certified gluten-free oats and a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

How to Store and Freeze Caramelitas

At Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Refrigerate:
Keeps for up to 1 week — slightly firmer texture, but still delicious.

Freeze:
Freeze individual squares wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight or microwave for 10–15 seconds for a warm, gooey treat.

Serving Suggestions

Caramelitas are indulgent on their own, but even better when paired with:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream
• A drizzle of warm caramel sauce
• A dollop of whipped cream
• Or alongside a steaming cup of coffee

Serve them slightly warm for the ultimate melty, gooey experience.

The Origin of Caramelitas

Caramelitas have roots in midwestern home baking and started appearing in church and community cookbooks in the 1960s and 70s. The original recipe was often labeled “Oatmeal Carmelitas,” highlighting the use of pantry-friendly ingredients like oats, butter, and store-bought caramels.

They became especially popular because they store well, travel beautifully, and taste even better the next day — perfect for sharing at potlucks and holidays.

Today, Caramelitas remain a nostalgic classic — bridging the gap between old-fashioned comfort and modern indulgence.

Nutritional Information (per bar)

Final Thoughts

Few desserts hit that perfect harmony of chewy, gooey, buttery, and chocolatey quite like Caramelitas. Whether you’re baking them for a special gathering, a weekend treat, or just to satisfy a caramel craving, these bars never disappoint.

They’re a reminder that the simplest ingredients — butter, sugar, oats, and caramel — can create pure magic when combined with love (and a little patience while they cool).

Once you try them, you’ll see why Caramelitas are the dessert people fall for again and again.