Caramelitas

These Caramelitas are a decadent treat featuring a buttery oat crust, a rich layer of melted chocolate chips, and a gooey, luscious caramel filling. Topped with more of the oat crumble, these bars offer a delightful play of textures and sweet flavors, making them a perfect dessert for any occasion.

Caramelitas Recipe:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven & Prep Dish: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8 baking dish or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the bars out later.
2. Prepare Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the 11 oz bag of baking caramels and ½ cup heavy cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the caramels are completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Make Oat Crumble: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the ¾ cup melted butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, 1 cup flour, 1 cup old-fashioned oats, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Mix until fully combined and crumbly.
4. Form Crust: Press half of the oat crumble mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared 8×8 baking dish to form the crust.
5. Partial Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
6. Assemble Layers: Remove the partially baked crust from the oven. Immediately sprinkle the 1 cup chocolate chips evenly over the hot crust. Then, carefully pour the prepared caramel mixture over the chocolate chips, spreading it gently to cover. Finally, crumble the remaining half of the oat mixture evenly over the top of the caramel layer.
7. Final Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 18-20 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the caramel is bubbling.
8. Cool & Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to slice them. This is crucial for the caramel to set properly, making them easier to cut into neat squares.

Enjoy your wonderfully chewy and rich Caramelitas!