Get ready to fall head over heels for Carmelitas—the ultimate dessert bar that brings together gooey caramel, melty chocolate, and a buttery oat cookie crust in every irresistible bite. This easy-to-make treat is everything you want when a serious sweet craving strikes, and it comes together with minimal effort. Whether you’re baking for a party, a potluck, or just a cozy night in, Carmelitas are your golden ticket to dessert bliss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Easy: No fancy equipment or complicated steps—just layer, bake, and indulge.
Rich and Gooey: Between the thick layer of caramel and melty chocolate chips, every bite is decadently soft and chewy.
Crowd Favorite: These bars disappear fast! Perfect for sharing (or not, we won’t judge).
Make-Ahead Friendly: They actually taste even better the next day as the flavors settle and the layers firm up just right.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple pantry staples transform into something magical—just trust the process.

All-purpose flour: Gives the bars their structure and helps balance the gooey center.
Old-fashioned oats: Adds that rustic chew and hearty texture to the crust and topping.
Brown sugar: Brings deep, molasses-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with caramel.
Baking soda: Helps the oat crust puff up slightly, keeping it from being too dense.
Salted butter: Melted to mix easily into the base and topping; the salt enhances all the sweet flavors.
Vanilla extract: A splash of this adds warmth and depth to the crust.
Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet is classic here, but feel free to use dark or milk chocolate based on your taste.
Soft caramels: The heart of the filling—melted down to gooey perfection.
Heavy cream: Loosens the caramel so it can spread easily and stay soft after baking.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Carmelitas are surprisingly versatile:

Nutty Crunch: Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts over the chocolate layer for extra texture.
Salted Caramel: Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top of the caramel before layering the final oats for a gourmet finish.
Peanut Butter Twist: Drizzle peanut butter over the chocolate layer before adding the caramel for a Reese’s-inspired version.
Fruit Forward: Swap out half the chocolate chips for dried cherries or raspberries for a tart surprise.

How to Make Carmelitas

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the soft caramels with heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth and pourable. Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the crust.

Step 2: Make the Oat Crust

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, flour, oats, and baking soda until well combined. It should look like a thick, crumbly dough.

Step 3: Layer the Bottom

Press half of the oat mixture into a greased or parchment-lined square baking pan. Use your fingers or a spatula to press it firmly and evenly across the bottom. Bake for about 10 minutes at 350°F to set the crust.

Step 4: Add the Chocolate and Caramel

Once the crust is out of the oven, scatter chocolate chips evenly across the hot base. Then slowly pour the warm caramel sauce over the top, making sure it covers the chocolate.

Step 5: Top and Bake Again

Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer. Don’t worry if some caramel peeks through—it adds to the charm! Bake for another 15–18 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and set.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely (yes, this part takes patience!) before slicing. They need time to firm up—trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Use Parchment Paper: It makes lifting the bars out of the pan super easy and cleanup a breeze.
Chill Before Slicing: If you want clean, perfect squares, pop the pan in the fridge for 1–2 hours after cooling.
Don’t Overbake: The caramel layer stays soft, but the top should be golden—not too dark or dry.
Good-Quality Caramels: Go for soft, chewy caramel candies—not the hard kind—to get that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

How to Serve

These bars are fabulous all on their own, but you can definitely dress them up a bit:

Warm with Ice Cream

Slightly warm the bars in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream for a next-level dessert.

Coffee Companion

Carmelitas go beautifully with a strong cup of coffee or espresso—the bitterness of the brew cuts through the sweet richness.

Dessert Board Addition

Slice into bite-sized squares and add to a dessert charcuterie board alongside fruit, nuts, and other small sweets.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They hold up well and stay soft!

Freezing

You can freeze Carmelitas in layers with parchment in between. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Thaw overnight in the fridge or let them come to room temperature. If you want that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, give them 10–15 seconds in the microwave.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of melting caramels?
Yes, but make sure it’s thick enough to hold its shape between the layers. If it’s too runny, the bars might not set properly.

Do I have to use oats?
Yes, the oats are key to the texture of the crust and topping. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.

Why are my Carmelitas falling apart when I cut them?
They probably didn’t cool long enough. Let them cool completely—or better yet, chill them before slicing for cleaner cuts.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just use a 9×13-inch baking pan and adjust the baking time slightly, keeping an eye on the top turning golden brown.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s rich, satisfying, and ridiculously easy to throw together, Carmelitas are it. With layers of buttery oat crust, gooey caramel, and melty chocolate, these bars check every box for indulgent comfort food. So go ahead—make a batch, share (or don’t), and enjoy every sweet, chewy bite.

Carmelitas Recipe