Caramelitas are buttery oatmeal cookie bars layered with melty chocolate and gooey caramel. They’re easy to make, incredibly rich, and completely irresistible. Perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or any time you’re craving a sweet, indulgent treat.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add melted butter and stir until crumbly.
Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
While baking, melt caramels with heavy cream in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth.
Remove crust from oven. Sprinkle chocolate chips over crust, then drizzle with caramel sauce.
Crumble remaining oat mixture over the top.
Bake for another 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
Cool completely (preferably refrigerate) before slicing into bars.
Notes
Chill before cutting for clean slices.Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.Swap semi-sweet chips with dark, milk, or white chocolate if preferred.Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze up to 2 months.