Quick and Easy Carmelitas

Quick and Easy Carmelitas are rich, buttery dessert bars layered with gooey caramel, melty chocolate, and a soft, chewy oat crust. These bars are an indulgent treat I love baking when I want something simple yet seriously satisfying. With just a handful of pantry ingredients, they come together fast and disappear even faster.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how effortless these bars are—no fancy tools or complicated steps needed. The layers of oats, chocolate chips, and caramel give each bite a perfect balance of texture and sweetness. They’re perfect for bake sales, parties, or just when I want to spoil myself with something sweet and homemade.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• All-purpose flour

• Old-fashioned oats

• Brown sugar

• Baking soda

• Salt

• Butter

• Chocolate chips

• Caramel bits or soft caramels

• Heavy cream or milk

Directions

1. I start by preheating the oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×9-inch baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, I mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.

3. I add the melted butter and stir until the mixture is crumbly and combined.

4. I press half the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish and bake it for 10 minutes.

5. While that’s baking, I melt the caramel bits with the heavy cream until smooth.

6. After the crust bakes, I sprinkle chocolate chips over it and pour the melted caramel on top.

7. I then crumble the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer and bake for another 15–20 minutes until golden brown.

8. I let the bars cool completely before cutting—this is key for neat slices.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes about 16 bars. The total time is approximately 40 minutes, with 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of baking. I usually allow at least 1 hour for cooling before slicing and serving.

Variations

• Add nuts: I sometimes add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.

• Use dark chocolate: For a richer flavor, I swap out regular chocolate chips for dark chocolate.

• Sea salt topping: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top adds a perfect salty-sweet contrast.

• Coconut flair: A handful of shredded coconut in the oat mixture adds a tropical twist.

Storage/Reheating

I store these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If I want to keep them longer, I refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 2 months. To enjoy warm, I microwave a bar for about 10–15 seconds to get that gooey caramel texture back.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

Yes, but the texture may be a bit softer. I prefer old-fashioned oats for a heartier bite.

What kind of caramels should I use?

I use caramel baking bits for convenience, but unwrapped soft caramels melted with cream work just as well.

How do I prevent the bars from falling apart?

Letting the bars cool completely is key. If I rush it, the caramel can still be too soft and the bars won’t hold their shape.

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely. I use a 9×13-inch pan and slightly increase the baking time if I’m doubling the batch.

Do I need to line the baking dish?

It helps! I sometimes line the pan with parchment paper to make lifting and slicing easier after cooling.

Conclusion

Quick and Easy Carmelitas are everything I want in a dessert: simple, satisfying, and packed with gooey goodness. Whether I’m baking for friends, family, or just treating myself, these bars never disappoint. They’re a must-try for anyone who loves caramel and chocolate wrapped in a soft, chewy oat crust.

Quick and Easy Carmelitas

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• Author: Linda
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes (plus 1 hour cooling)
• Yield: About 16 bars
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Quick and Easy Carmelitas are irresistibly gooey dessert bars packed with layers of melted chocolate, buttery oats, and smooth caramel. Made with simple pantry staples, these chewy bars are the perfect no-fuss treat for bake sales, potlucks, or a sweet craving. With minimal prep and big flavor, Quick and Easy Carmelitas are a must-bake for caramel and chocolate lovers alike.

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Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Old-fashioned oats
• Brown sugar
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Butter (melted)
• Chocolate chips
• Caramel bits or soft caramels
• Heavy cream or milk

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish (or line with parchment paper for easier slicing).
• In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
• Add melted butter and stir until crumbly.
• Press half the mixture into the baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
• While crust bakes, melt caramel bits with heavy cream in a saucepan until smooth.
• Remove crust from oven, sprinkle with chocolate chips, and pour caramel mixture over the top.
• Crumble remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer.
• Bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, until golden brown.
• Cool completely (at least 1 hour) before slicing for clean bars.

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Notes

• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy twist.
• Use dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
• Sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a sweet-salty contrast.
• Stir shredded coconut into the oat layer for a tropical vibe.
• Cooling is essential—don’t rush or bars may fall apart.