Gooey Caramelitas are an epic decadent cookie bar featuring a melty, sticky chocolate and caramel filling inside a buttery, slightly crispy oatmeal base. They're easy to make with just a few pantry ingredientsl
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Caramelitas
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Cooling Time 1 hourhour
Servings 16bars
Calories 355kcal
Author Michelle
Ingredients
1¼cupall purpose flour
1cupold fashioned rolled oats
¾cupbrown sugar
½teaspoonbaking soda
½teaspoonsalt
¾cupunsalted buttermelted and slightly cooled
1teaspoonvanilla extract
For the Filling
35soft caramels
½cupheavy cream
1½cupmilk chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9"x9" metal baking dish with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, add flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
In a separate small mixing bowl, combine melted butter and vanilla extract, stirring until combined.
Add butter mixture to flour mixture. Stir until combined and mixture is dough-like.
Press half of the flour mixture into the bottom of the prepared dish. Bake for 8-10 minutes until just lightly golden.
Meanwhile, add caramels and cream to a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until caramels are melted and combined with cream.
When your first layer is done baking, sprinkle chocolate chips onto baked layer.
Pour melted caramel over chocolate layer.
Top with remaining flour mixture. Spread evenly. Leave it crumbly instead of pressing it flat like the first layer.
Bake for an additional 18-20 minutes, or until top is golden brown.
Allow to cool completely, at least 1 to 2 hours, before removing from the pan, cutting, and serving.
Video
Notes
Caramels - You can use an 11-ounce bag of caramel bits. They come unwrapped for easier melting and handling.
Allow to cool to room temperature before cutting and serving or you will have melty gooey mess on your hands (still delicious, but it will have no structure and fall apart).
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezer Directions: Allow to cool to room temperature. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 to 6 months. Thaw overnight on the counter before serving.