Description
Irresistible chocolate and caramel meld perfectly in these Caramelitas, creating a heavenly dessert that blends rich layers of buttery oats, smooth chocolate, and gooey caramel. Dessert enthusiasts will savor each indulgent bite of this classic midwestern treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (225 g/8 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups (190 g/6.7 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (120 g/4.2 ounces) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups (265 g/9.3 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (300 g/10.6 ounces) caramel sauce or dulce de leche
Sweet and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup (200 g/7 ounces) packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml/1.5 fluid ounces) heavy cream
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (75 g/2.6 ounces) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Warmly usher the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal baking environment for your decadent treat.
- Lovingly prepare the baking vessel by generously coating it with a silky layer of grease, then tenderly drape parchment paper across its surface, ensuring graceful edges extend beyond the pan’s boundaries for effortless extraction.
- Create a luxurious foundation by layering two-thirds of the crumbly oat mixture, pressing it firmly and evenly into the pan’s landscape, establishing a sturdy base for the impending flavor symphony.
- Dispatch the prepared crust into the preheated oven’s embrace, allowing it to transform and set for approximately 10 minutes, developing a gentle golden hue and promising crisp texture.
- While the crust bakes, assemble your caramel companions: summon chocolate morsels and rich caramel sauce, preparing them for their starring roles in this culinary performance.
- Once the crust emerges with its delicate bronze complexion, generously cascade chocolate chips across its entire surface, creating a glistening blanket of potential deliciousness.
- Drizzle the caramel sauce with artistic precision, ensuring complete and even coverage over the chocolate landscape, promising pockets of sweet, flowing decadence.
- Crown the creation with the remaining oat mixture, sprinkling it delicately yet deliberately to create a rustic, textured topping.
- Return the assembled masterpiece to the oven’s warm sanctuary, allowing it to bake for an additional 15-18 minutes until the top achieves a golden, enticing complexion.
- Carefully extract the pan, permitting the caramelitas to cool completely within the pan, which allows the layers to set and harmonize their flavors.
- Utilizing the parchment paper’s extended edges, gently lift the entire creation from the pan and transfer to a cutting surface.
- Slice into precise squares, revealing the mesmerizing layers of oats, chocolate, and caramel, ready to enchant eager palates.
Notes
- Choose a high-quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa for richer, more complex flavor depths.
- Always let the caramel layer cool slightly before adding chocolate to prevent immediate melting and maintain distinct layers.
- Chill the bars for 30 minutes after baking to help them set perfectly and create clean, crisp cuts when slicing.
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats instead of quick oats for better texture and a more substantial, nutty base in your caramelitas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 382
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 81 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 42 mg