Decadent Carmelitas Recipe: A Pioneer Woman Inspired Delight

Carmelitas, those irresistible oatmeal bars oozing with gooey caramel and melting milk chocolate, are a dessert lover’s dream come true. Each bite is a symphony of textures and flavors, making them an absolute treat. If you’re searching for a crowd-pleasing dessert that combines rustic charm with decadent indulgence, look no further. This Carmelitas recipe, reminiscent of the hearty and heartwarming recipes you might find from a pioneer woman’s kitchen, is destined to become a new family favorite.

If you’re a fan of easy bar desserts, you’re in for a treat. Similar to beloved classics like 7 Layer Bars, Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars, or Magic Cookie Bars, Carmelitas offer a delightful combination of simple ingredients and incredible taste. But what sets Carmelitas apart is the luscious caramel center nestled between layers of chewy oatmeal goodness and rich chocolate.

Carmelitas stacked on top of each other.

The Ultimate Carmelitas Recipe for Home Bakers

Carmelitas hold a special place in my heart as my all-time favorite dessert. Imagine the delightful combination of Oatmeal Jam Bars and classic Cookie Bars – that’s the magic of Carmelitas! My passion for desserts is well-known, but when it comes to choosing a top pick, these bars consistently reign supreme.

Beyond their incredible taste, Carmelitas evoke cherished memories. Growing up, making these bars with my mom was an annual Christmas tradition. They were our go-to treat for neighborly gifts, filling our home with warmth and the irresistible aroma of baking.

Having Carmelitas as my favorite dessert bar has made me quite discerning about their perfection. Over the years, I’ve refined my mom’s original recipe, tweaking it until it reached absolute deliciousness. The result? A Carmelitas recipe where the crust is uniformly baked, the chocolate layer is generously thick, and the caramel maintains a soft, gooey texture. Every layer achieves a perfect harmony, and once cooled, each bite delivers the quintessential Carmelitas experience.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Carmelitas

Caramels and Heavy Cream: These two create the signature gooey caramel layer at the heart of Carmelitas. Opt for high-quality, SOFT caramels to ensure the best flavor and texture. Werther’s Original soft caramels are highly recommended! While unwrapping them might seem tedious, the superior taste is well worth the effort.
Butter and Brown Sugar: These ingredients are the foundation of rich flavor and binding for the bars. Use softened butter to ensure smooth mixing.
Flour, Oats, and Baking Soda: This trio creates the wonderfully thick and chewy crust and crumbly topping. Old-fashioned oats are crucial for achieving the ideal texture.
Vanilla Extract and Salt: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile, while salt plays a vital role in balancing the sweetness and bringing out all the delicious notes.
Chocolate Chips: Milk chocolate chips melt into a decadent chocolate layer that complements the caramel and oats perfectly.

Quick Baking Pro-Tip

To prevent caramels from sticking everywhere after unwrapping, immediately place them directly into your melting pot as they tend to soften quickly and adhere to surfaces.

The caramels prepped into measuring cups for these carmelitas.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Carmelitas:

Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Caramel Creation: Unwrap all the caramels and combine them with heavy cream in a saucepan. Melt over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until completely smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
Batter Mixing: In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, flour, old-fashioned oats, baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until a thick, cohesive dough forms.
Base Layer Bake: Press half of the prepared dough evenly into the parchment-lined baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes to set the base.
Layer Assembly: Remove the partially baked crust from the oven. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the warm crust. Pour the melted caramel mixture evenly over the chocolate chips, ensuring a smooth layer.
Final Bake: Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the caramel layer. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for 13-18 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown. Monitor closely to avoid over-browning.
Cooling and Cutting: Allow the Carmelitas to cool completely in the pan for at least one hour at room temperature. For cleaner slices, chill in the refrigerator before cutting into bars.

Essential Tips for Carmelitas Success

Parchment Paper Lining: Always line your baking pan with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes lifting the entire batch of Carmelitas out for cutting incredibly easy. The parchment overhang acts as handles.
Chocolate Choice: While milk chocolate chips are classic and delicious, feel free to customize! Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips offer a less sweet, richer flavor.
Accurate Flour Measurement: Avoid packing flour into your measuring cup. Spoon flour into the cup and level it off with a straight edge. Too little flour can result in greasy bars, while too much can make them dry.
Even Crust Pressing: Press the oatmeal mixture firmly and evenly into the pan to create a uniform base for your bars.
Smooth Caramel Spreading: Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread the melted caramel evenly over the chocolate chips, ensuring consistent thickness.
Balanced Oatmeal Crumble Topping: When crumbling the remaining oatmeal mixture over the caramel, distribute it as evenly as possible for balanced flavor in every bite.

The chocolate chips and caramel being added into the par baked oatmeal base for this carmelita recipe.

Creative Carmelitas Variations

Fun Ways to Customize Your Carmelitas

Chocolate Variety: Experiment with different chocolate types! White chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or even a mix can create exciting flavor profiles. Butterscotch chips are also a fantastic addition.
Nutty Delight: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the oat mixture for added crunch and nutty flavor.
Peanut Butter Swirl: Drizzle peanut butter or cookie butter over the caramel layer before adding chocolate chips for a delightful flavor twist, reminiscent of Cookie Butter Bars.
Salted Caramel Indulgence: Sprinkle a touch of sea salt over the caramel layer to create a sophisticated salted caramel flavor. Be mindful of the existing salt in the dough and don’t over-salt.

Carmelitas Storage Best Practices

Cooling is Key: Ensure Carmelitas are completely cooled before cutting into bars. They are also delicious served chilled!
Room Temperature Storage: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 to 5 days to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
Freezing for Later: For longer storage, stack Carmelitas with parchment paper between layers in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

One of the caremlitas being held up showing the gooey and delicious inside.

Explore More Irresistible Caramel Desserts:

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4.85 from 13 votes

Carmelitas Recipe

By Chelsea Lords

These Carmelitas are the perfect blend of oatmeal bars, gooey caramel, and rich milk chocolate – a truly irresistible dessert bar recipe.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Setting Up: 36 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 bars

Equipment

9 x 9-inch Baking pan
Hand mixer

Ingredients

3 cups Werther’s Original Soft Caramels unwrapped
1/3 cup heavy cream
12 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups milk chocolate chips see note 1

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 9-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal later.
In a pot over medium-low heat, combine the unwrapped caramels and heavy cream. Stir with a wooden spoon until completely smooth, then set aside to slightly cool and thicken.
In a large bowl, mix together the room temperature butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt using electric hand mixers until a thick dough forms. Divide the mixture in half and press half of it into the prepared pan.
Bake the base for 8 minutes, then remove from the oven. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the crust. Pour the melted and slightly cooled caramel over the chocolate chips, gently smoothing it into an even layer.
Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture over the caramel layer but don’t press it down. Bake for another 13–18 minutes until the edges are lightly browned and the top is set.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars. These bars are best enjoyed within 2–4 days, store in an airtight container.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Milk chocolate chips are recommended for classic Carmelitas, but semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips can be substituted for a different flavor profile. Storage: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 4–5 days. For longer storage, stack bars with parchment paper between each layer in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a general guide only.

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