Caramelitas Family Favorite Chocolate Caramel Oat Bars

Who doesn't love a decadent treat? Caramelitas are a delicious combination of ooey-gooey caramel, buttery oat cookie, semi-sweet chocolate, and crunchy nuts.

Not only are they incredibly delicious, but they are so easy to make. Which makes them perfect for a special occasion or anytime you want a little something sweet.

My mother-in-law makes these every year at Christmas time, along with about 15-20 others. Many of us would be perfectly content if she only made these.

I used her recipe (below, in her own handwriting!) to make these:

Except, I used butter instead of margarine and changed up the caramel.

Caramel Options for Caramelitas

The first time I made these exactly as directed. Unwrapping 50 caramels from their little plastic straitjackets then melting them with milk is not a lot of fun.

A jar of caramel sauce is much easier.

But, when I went to make these for the marching band Bake Sale recently, I'd forgotten to buy the caramel sauce. So, I made my own with a can of sweetened condensed milk, butter and brown sugar.

Boiling a can of sweetened condensed milk works, but it takes 3 hours and the flavor profile isn't quite right. This method is faster and more like caramel.

To make sweetened condensed milk caramel:

• Preheat oven to 425F.
• Pour 2 cans condensed milk into a quart casserole dish, add ⅓ cup packed brown sugar and ⅓ cup cut up butter. Mix. Cover with foil.
• Put the casserole dish into a larger pan and put in the oven. Add enough water to the outer pan to fill about ¾ inch high.
• Bake for 1 hour, checking the water level a few times, adding more if needed.
• Remove from oven, beat the caramel together with an immersion blender.

Christmas Cookies Week

Time to fill your Christmas cookie tray with these delightful cookie recipes:

Recipe

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Ingredients

 

• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cup old fashioned oats (not instant or quick cook)
• 1 ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 ¼ cup cup butter (melted)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 jars 12 ounce size caramel ice cream topping
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (or pecans or almonds)

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350℉ degrees. Line a 9x13 inch pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
• In a mixing bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, melted butter and baking soda. If the ingredients are not holding together add a tablespoon of water.
• Add half of the mixture to the prepared pan and smooth it to create a flat even surface.
• Bake for 10 minutes.
• Remove pan from oven and evenly sprinkle chocolate chips and nuts over the cookie layer.
• Top with caramel sauce. Crumble remaining cookie mixture over the top.
• Return pan to oven and bake until edges are lightly browned and center is bubbling, about 15-18 minutes.
• Allow to cool completely before cutting into small bars.

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Until next time, happy eating!
~Audrey