These Carmelitas are rich, gooey, and layered with oats, melted caramel, chocolate, and nuts for a dessert that always disappears fast.
With a buttery oat crust, a soft caramel center, and melty chocolate in every bite, this classic dessert hits the perfect balance of sweet, chewy, and indulgent. And it’s one of those recipes that we get asked for the recipe EVERY time we make them.
Dessert bar recipes are perfect for feeding crowds, and carmelitas are always a crowd-pleaser! If you love easy bars like this one, be sure to try Magic Cookie Bars, M&M Chocolate Bars, or Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Why we think you’ll love it:
- A chewy caramel center. These bars are gooey, chewy, and packed with caramel and chocolate.
- A simple treat. The oat crust comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients.
- A favorite to share. This sweet treat is easy to slice and perfect for sharing, perfect for potlucks, parties, and holidays.
Carmelitas Ingredients
- Caramels or caramel bits (1 package, 11 ounces) – melt into a smooth, gooey layer that defines classic Carmelitas.
- Heavy cream or half and half (½ cup) – Helps the caramel melt smoothly and stay soft after baking.
- All-purpose flour (1 cup) – Provides structure to the oat crust and topping.
- Old fashioned oats (1 cup) – Add texture and that signature chewy bite.
- Brown sugar (¾ cup) – Sweetens the crust and adds rich, caramel like flavor.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon) – Helps the crust bake up tender instead of dense.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon) – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Butter (12 tablespoons, melted) – Binds the oat mixture together and adds rich flavor.
- Semi sweet chocolate chips (6 ounces) – Melt into the caramel layer for deep chocolate flavor.
- Chopped walnuts (½ cup) – Add crunch and a nutty contrast to the soft layers.
How to Make Carmelitas
PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 9 baking dish or line it with parchment or foil.
CARAMEL. Add the caramels or caramel bits and the heavy cream to a small saucepan. Heat the caramel over low heat, stirring frequently, until the caramels are completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
CRUST. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Pour the melted butter into the bowl and mix to combine.
Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes (do not turn off the oven).
LAYER. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and walnuts over the baked crust, then pour the melted caramel over the top, spreading gently to cover. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the top of the caramel (it’s okay if it doesn’t cover the caramel completely).
BAKE + SERVE! Bake for 15-20 minutes, until light brown. Remove the carmelitas from the oven and cool them completely before slicing and serving.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Stir the caramel constantly while melting to prevent scorching.
- Press the crust firmly so it holds together when sliced.
- If using a glass or ceramic pan, you may need to add a little extra to the baking time.
- We recommend sticking with a 9×9 pan for texture purposes, but an 8×8 can be used in a pinch. You can also double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 pan.
- Do not worry if the top oat layer does not fully cover the caramel.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting for clean slices.
Carmelitas Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (11-ounce) package caramels or caramel bits
- ½ cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons butter, melted
- 6 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9 baking dish or line it with parchment or foil.
- Add the caramels or caramel bits and the heavy cream to a small saucepan. Heat the caramel over low heat, stirring frequently, until the caramels are completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Pour the melted butter into the bowl and mix to combine.
- Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes (do not turn off the oven).
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips and walnuts over the baked crust, then pour the melted caramel over the top, spreading gently to cover. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the top of the caramel (it’s okay if it doesn’t cover the caramel completely). Bake 15-20 minutes, until light brown.
- Remove the carmelitas from the oven and cool them completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Stir the caramel constantly while melting to prevent scorching.
- Press the crust firmly so it holds together when sliced.
- If using a glass or ceramic pan, you may need to add a little extra to the baking time.
- I recommend sticking with a 9×9 pan for texture purposes, but an 8×8 can be used in a pinch. You can also double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 pan.
- Do not worry if the top oat layer does not fully cover the caramel.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting for clean slices.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Keep Carmelitas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
To prep them for the freezer, wrap the entire carmelita dessert bar, or individual bars with plastic wrap. Then you can either wrap them again with aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container or freezer Ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 4 months.
More Like This
Bar Recipes
Brownie Recipes
Homemade Brownies
45 mins
Candy Bar Brownies
2 hrs 29 mins
Butterscotch Brownies
35 mins
Fudgy Brownies
40 mins
Collections
This recipe was first shared July 2020.
I did use about 2/3 cup prepared Caramel ice cream sauce with 1/4 c caramel bits, it was all I had. About 1/8 cup whole milk, not cream, and 1/4 c flour whisked in after bits had melted completely. Turned out great.
I love that you made it work with what you had!
Trying to make them. First time
I hope they turn out well!
Made these for a friend who loves caramel anything! She absolutely loved them.
I will be making them again! thank you for the recipe.
I made these for a family reunion and they were a huge delight! They were so simple and delicious that they will become a staple in my household. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe!
This recipe is simple and delicious. I doubled the recipe, used half of the caramel sauce than the recipe called for and used a 9×13 baking pan. I will make it again soon with the caramel sauce I have left.
Thanks for sharing what you did! Glad to hear you enjoyed the carmelitas!
Can I make your Carmelita Bars WITHOUT nuts? I’ve got a picky one here…
OMG!!! I could have eaten this whole thing by myself. Sooo good. I used wrapped caramels but I think next time I might try a jar of caramel, just for the convenience of it. The only variable I used was coffee chocolate chips as that’s what I had plus pecans instead of walnuts because, once again, that’s what I had. These bars were delicious warm out of the oven . Very messy and gooey or once they set up and we’re firm after being in the fridge. Either way they were to die for. I’ll be making these again soon. Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Yes caramel sauce worked! Just make sure it’s thick!
0
These were very good. Everyone at work loved them. I will say that I switched things a bit because of what I had on hand. I made the caramel sauce with wrapped caramels and heavy whipping cream. I didn’t melt them on the stove top, but in the microwave at 30 second intervals. I didn’t add the chocolate chips because I don’t care for chocolate. Next, I didn’t add walnuts because I had pecans on hand. They were really good. Success all around. I will be making them again. Thank you!
These were very good. Everyone at work loved them. I will say that I switched things a bit because of what I had on hand. I made the caramel sauce with wrapped caramels and heavy whipping cream. I didn’t melt them on the stove top, but in the microwave at 30 second intervals. I didn’t add the chocolate chips because I don’t care for chocolate. Next, I didn’t add walnuts because I had pecans on hand. They were really good. Success all around. I will be making them again. Thank you!
Oooey goooey goodness. Easy to make and delicious to eat!! I took these to a party they were a HUGE hit and gone in minutes! Many people said it was the best bar they have ever eaten! I have never gotten so many compliments before! I will definitely be making these over and over again!!
Oh I’m so happy to hear that!! So glad to hear the Carmelitas were a hit!
These are delicious! One of my favorite bars to make.
These are a family favorite! So ooey gooey yummy! Thank you for great recipes!!
You are so welcome! Thank you for trying them!
These are so yummy!!
These are a crowd favorite! Yum!!
These are the best to make and freeze for later. And they’re the first to go at our neighborhood bake sales!