Buttery Caramelitas Recipe: Sweet Layers of Gooey Goodness

Sweet layers of buttery caramelitas dance between crisp oat crusts, promising an irresistible dessert adventure.

Chocolate melts into soft caramel, creating a harmony of rich flavors.

Baking enthusiasts adore these decadent bars for their simple yet impressive profile.

Crafted with minimal ingredients, caramelitas deliver maximum satisfaction in every single bite.

Our tested recipe guarantees a foolproof approach to creating these addictive treats.

Unexpected combinations of textures make this dessert a true crowd-pleaser.

Prepare to impress everyone at your next gathering with these mouthwatering squares that blend comfort and indulgence perfectly.

Caramelitas – Sweet, Gooey, and Irresistibly Chewy

• Indulge in Layered Goodness: These Caramelitas offer a delightful combination of buttery oats, rich chocolate, and gooey caramel that creates a mouthwatering symphony of flavors in every single bite.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers, this recipe guarantees to impress guests with its decadent taste and simple preparation method.
• Customize with Ease: Bakers can experiment by adding nuts, drizzling extra chocolate, or incorporating different types of chocolate chips to make the recipe uniquely their own and match personal preferences.
• Simple Baking Adventure: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for both novice and experienced bakers, ensuring a successful sweet treat with minimal kitchen stress.

Ingredients for Classic Caramelitas

• Oats: Provide texture and structure to the bar's base.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind the base mixture together.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Butter (Melted): Creates a rich, tender base for the bars.

• Caramels: Deliver a rich, sweet, gooey center.
• Heavy Cream: Helps melt and smooth out the caramel.
• Chocolate Chips: Offer a delicious melted chocolate layer.

• Baking Soda: Helps the base mixture rise and become light.

How to Bake Perfect Caramelitas

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350°F. Grab an 8×8 inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for super easy cleanup.

Step 2: Melt the Caramel Goodness

• Caramels
• Heavy cream

Stir this mixture over medium heat until it transforms into a silky smooth river of golden deliciousness. Once melted, set it aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Create the Oat Base

• Melted butter
• Brown sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Rolled oats
• Baking soda

Mix everything until it forms a crumbly, delectable mixture.

Step 4: Layer the First Oat Base

Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.

Make sure it’s packed down evenly for a perfect foundation.

Step 5: Pre-Bake the Base

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

This gives your base a head start and creates a delightful golden crust.

Step 6: Add Chocolate and Caramel Layers

Once out of the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips across the baked layer.

Then carefully pour the melted caramel over the chocolate, making sure it covers everything evenly.

Step 7: Top with Remaining Oat Mixture

Scatter the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer.

This creates a gorgeous crumbly topping that will make mouths water.

Step 8: Final Bake

Return the dish to the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.

You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown color that signals perfection is near.

Step 9: Cool and Slice

Let the Caramelitas cool completely.

This is crucial – patience rewards you with clean, perfect slices that showcase all those gorgeous layers. Once cooled, cut into squares and watch them disappear!

Tips to Nail Caramelitas Every Time

• Soften caramels at room temperature before melting to ensure smooth, even consistency without scorching.
• Prevent chocolate chips from sinking by lightly coating them with a thin layer of flour before sprinkling over the base layer.
• Use parchment paper with overhanging edges for easy lifting and clean cutting of Caramelitas without breaking.
• Chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes after cooling to help them set firmly and slice more cleanly.
• For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Variations on Caramelitas to Try

• Gluten-Free Caramelitas: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Chocolate Caramelitas: Swap butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and create caramel using coconut milk and maple syrup instead of traditional heavy cream.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Add chopped pecans or almonds between chocolate and caramel layers for extra texture and rich, toasted flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener and use dark chocolate with higher cocoa content to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining delicious taste.

Pairing Suggestions for Caramelitas

• Full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot with rich chocolate and caramel notes perfectly balances the dessert's sweet complexity.
• Dark roast espresso or French press coffee cuts through the richness, providing a robust counterpoint to the sweet caramelitas.
• Vanilla bean ice cream offers a cool, smooth contrast that enhances the warm, gooey dessert layers while tempering its intense sweetness.
• Roasted almond or pecan garnish sprinkled on top adds delightful crunch and earthy undertones that complement the caramel and chocolate flavors.

How to Store Caramelitas Properly

• Store cooled Caramelitas in an airtight container, layering parchment paper between each bar to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving their rich caramel and chocolate goodness for later enjoyment.
• Let bars sit at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, perfect for quick snacking without compromising taste or quality.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for Caramelitas?

The main ingredients include caramels, heavy cream, melted butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, oats, baking soda, and chocolate chips.

• Is this recipe considered difficult to make?

No, Caramelitas are relatively easy to prepare. The recipe involves simple steps like mixing ingredients, layering, and baking, making it suitable for novice bakers.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have exactly what the recipe calls for?

You can potentially swap quick oats for rolled oats, use different chocolate chips, or try alternative sweeteners, but this might slightly alter the final texture and taste.

Caramelitas Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Gooey chocolate and caramel meld perfectly in these irresistible caramelitas from Minnesota’s heartland. Layered oat crumble and rich chocolate create a mouthwatering dessert that delights with each sweet, crumbly bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 11 oz baking caramels
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (120 ml)
• 3/4 cup butter, unsalted (melted) (170 g)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (150 g)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 g)
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats (90 g)
• 1 tsp baking soda

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper or a light grease coating.
2. Melt caramels and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and let rest.
3. Create a crumbly base mixture by combining melted butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, and baking soda in a mixing bowl until fully integrated.
4. Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even foundational layer.
5. Bake the initial layer for 10 minutes until lightly golden and set.
6. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips across the warm baked layer in a uniform distribution.
7. Gently pour the caramel mixture over the chocolate chips, ensuring complete and even coverage.
8. Delicately scatter the remaining oat mixture across the caramel surface, creating a textured top layer.
9. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 18-20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown appearance.
10. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature before cutting into squares for serving.

Notes

• Chilling the caramel mixture for a few minutes before pouring helps create a more stable layer and prevents chocolate from melting too quickly.
• For gluten-free variations, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or certified gluten-free oats to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding a pinch of sea salt over the caramel layer, which beautifully balances the sweetness and creates a gourmet touch.
• Ensure complete cooling before cutting to achieve clean, precise slices and prevent the bars from falling apart during serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 277
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 2.5 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg