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A stack of four chocolate chip oatmeal bars with a crumbly texture is placed on a white surface. Chocolate chips are scattered around the bars.
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Carmelita Bars Recipe

These carmelita bars are my Nana Mabel's famous recipe. They're the perfect combination of crunchy oats, sweet chocolate, and gooey caramel. An easy recipe with simple ingredients, these bars are great for any occasion.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: carmelita bars
Servings: 16
Author: Emily Richter

Ingredients

Crust

Topping

  • ¾ cups chopped walnuts raw
  • 6 oz. semisweet chocolate chips ~1cup
  • ¾ caramel sauce we used store-bought ice cream topping
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325ºF and grease a 9x13-inch pan.
  • Next, add the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and butter to a bowl. Use an electric mixer to mix until completely combined.
    A clear glass bowl filled with a crumbly mixture, likely a streusel or crumble topping, on a light-colored countertop.
  • Press half of the batter into the bottom of the pan and set the other half of the batter aside for later. Bake for 5-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside and let cool for 10 minutes.
    Hands press down a mixture in a square baking pan. The mixture contains visible oats and is evenly spread across the pan.
  • Spread the walnuts and chocolate chips over the baked crust.
    A silver baking pan containing an uncut dessert topped with chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
  • Mix the caramel sauce and 3 tablespoons of flour into a small bowl. Once combined, pour the mixture over the chocolate chips and walnuts.
    A baking tray filled with a dessert topped with melted caramel, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts.
  • Finally, crumble the remaining batter from step 3 over the top of the caramel.
    A rectangular baking tray filled with an unbaked dessert mixture featuring a crumbly oat and nut topping, placed on a textured light-colored surface.
  • Increase the oven temperature to 350ºF and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
    A metal baking pan filled with crumbly dessert bars. Two bars have been cut out, revealing a layered filling, while the rest of the dessert remains uncut. A fork and a napkin are nearby.

Video

Notes

  • We also tested this recipe with sunflower seeds and it is great.
  • We used Ghiradelli caramel sauce, but any caramel sauce will do.

Nutrition

Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g