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These chewy caramel oatmeal bars are super easy to make and make the perfect dessert treat for any holiday party. They are a delicious combination of oatmeal cookies, chewy caramel, and chocolate.
On Saturday Art and I were driving to our friend’s house and I blurt out “don’t all these people know it’s too soon to be decorating for Christmas?”
To which he replied “Brandy, it’s December. People are allowed to be decorated for Christmas.”
I went to reply and then I realized he was right and I totally forgot it was December.
Seriously, how did December show up so quickly?
So now I’m in holiday mode and realized it was time to get some holiday goodies on the blog.
Now, these bars aren’t actually new to the blog but I posted them in 2009 and I’m pretty sure no one saw them because I’m sure my only reader in 2009 was my mom and maybe my husband.
I make these chewy caramel oatmeal bars almost every holiday season because they are super simple to make and are a great addition to almost any holiday cookie tray.
They are chewy and PACKED full of delicious flavor.
The crust is like a soft oatmeal cookie and then it’s topped with melted caramel, chocolate, and more soft oatmeal cookie topping – YASSSSSS!
Also, can we talk about something totally off-topic?
I’m currently obsessed with doing puzzles and I just bought a new puzzle and the winter scene is legit AF.
I want to crawl into the scene and live there.
But the bigger issue is that I’m sure liking puzzles basically makes me 80 years old.
I remember growing up and my mom used to love doing puzzles so basically, I grew up and became my mother.
More cookie recipes
- Love lots of chocolate? Try my Double Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies.
- Craving a pretty and delicious cookie? Try my Almond Sugar Cookies.
- Want a little mint in your cookie? Try my Peppermint Kiss Cookies.
- Need an easy recipe? Try my Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies.
Chewy Caramel Oatmeal Bars (Carmelitas)
Ingredients
- 11 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup quick cooking oatmeal
- ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 (11 ounce) bag caramels, unwrapped
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper, set aside.
- Melt 10 tablespoons (3/4 cup) butter and add to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Add in flour, oatmeal, brown sugar and baking soda. Mix until combined and crumbly.
- Add 3/4 of the oatmeal mixture to the prepared pan and press into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes and once baked set aside.
- In a saucepan combine the caramels, remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and milk. Set over medium heat and heat until the caramel is melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted caramel mixture over the baked crust, top with chocolate chips, and sprinkle the leftover oatmeal mixture over top the chocolate chips.
- Add back to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Let the bars cool completely and then cut into squares.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I don’t know where the pig ‘tocks came from. They just appeared one day on the tree, twirling their curly tail.
Yum… Looks so tasty! I love all things caramel!
PS – Where is that picture from? It looks kind of like Commonwealth Ave in Boston (one of my favorite places in the whole world)!
These chewy oatmeal bars look totally enticing!
Now this is my kind of treat! Love the oats, caramel, and chocolate!
These look so good, I’m totally going to pass them off as breakfast too!! They have oatmeal, right?! 😉
Those look delicious, and I know they would go fast here!
Oh my goodness, those look sooo good!
Love good oatmeal bars. I like to have them for breakfast!
I LOVE doing puzzles! One summer the kids and I did a 1000 piece puzzle! It was so fun! These look amazing!