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Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Carmelitas are a simple, rich bar cookie with tons of pecans, chocolate chips, and dollops of dulce de leche piled on a soft oatmeal crust then baked for a delicious treat!
No doubt about it … these bars are a mouth-full of nuts, caramel and chocolate and always a favorite on the dessert table.  The oatmeal base is soft, without being crumbly or dry, so you can sink your teeth into the rich caramel.  The dulce de leche remains soft but not sticky after being baked so the Oatmeal Carmelitas are not overly gooey.
Oatmeal Carmelitas have been around for a long time but didn’t always include chocolate chips in the layers.
I haven’t tried making them without chocolate but imagine they’d still be crazy delicious.  These remind me a little of  Peanut Butter Oatmeal Revel Bars which are a personal favorite of mine.
Be sure to cut them smaller than you would think as they are very rich.
The simple oat base keeps them from being over the top sweet so no worries.  I used dulce de leche for the caramel layer because it’s super easy and ready to go when you open the can, and it tends to be a little less sweet than caramels or caramel sauce.  If you want to make your own Homemade Dulce de Leche Caramel, check out this post by Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen – so easy and delicious!
Bittersweet chocolate chips would also be a great choice but I think milk chocolate chips would be too sweet. Â One thing I know for certain, these will disappear in a flash at your next tailgate party or event.
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Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Carmelitas
Ingredients
- 1 â…” cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup Dulce de Leche
- 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cut a length of parchment paper to fit a 8x8 inch baking dish allowing the paper to come up to the top of both sides of the pan. Cut another sheet to fit in the opposite direction also trimming at the top of the pan. Spray the parchment lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the butter, oats, both sugars, vanilla and an egg. Mix on medium low until combined and crumbly.
- In a small bowl combine the dulce de leche and the remaining 3 tablespoons of flour.
- Press half of the oat mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle half the chocolate chips and half the nuts over the baked crust. Drizzle with half the caramel mixture then scatter the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top to cover. Sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips, nuts and dulce de leche mixture.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are set and the carmelitas are a light golden brown.
- Cool completely before cutting. (May be refrigerated to cool)
- Store cooled carmelitas in an airtight container at room temperature. Baked carmelitas may be frozen.
Recipe Notes
- Adapted and inspired by several recipes including Pillsbury and Food & Wine
Nutrition
Love a good cookie bar? Â You might like these recipes too:
Apple Pie Bars with Bourbon Caramel Sauce
Chocolate Peanut Butter Revel BarsÂ
Sweet Cherry Almond Bars ~ from The View from Great Island
Brown Butter Candied Pecan Blondies ~ from The Cafe Sucre Farine
Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful week 🙂
Tricia
Beth
This looks delicious! I’m just wondering when you added the egg and vanilla tho? I’m assuming it is with the butter and sugar?
Tricia Buice
So sorry Beth! Thanks for catching that. You are correct and I have updated the recipe. Add the egg and vanilla with the sugars – hope you enjoy and thank you very, very much!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
Wow, these look so scrumptious, Tricia! Those are some lip smacking photos, too! My family members would love this for Thanksgiving so I’m going to recruit some to help me bake bunches! Thanks, Tricia 🙂
Tricia Buice
Thanks Robyn! Don’t you love this time of year?! Hope you and your family have a wonderful (Canadian) Thanksgiving!
John/Kitchen Riffs
Really great looking recipe! Such a fun bar — oatmeal and chocolate and caramel flavors work so well together. Fun dish — thanks.
Tricia Buice
Thank you so much John – have a great week and thanks for stopping by!
cakespy
MY DREAM FOOD. Looks awesome!
Tricia Buice
They are very tasty Jessie. Thanks for stopping by!
cheri
Oh my goodness do these look delicious, you always come up with the best combos Tricia, love this!!!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Cheri!
Sara
I LOVE cookie bars, in fact, I just joined the baking club at my girls’ school and need to bring baked goods for the book fair, I think I’m going to make this recipe!
Tricia Buice
Sounds like a fun club! I loved this time of year when my children were in school. Such fun! Hope you enjoy the Carmelitas and thanks for stopping by!
Becky
I love treats you can freeze! It means I always have something delicious to hand when I need it the most 🙂 Thank you for posting a lovely recipe.
Tricia Buice
Thank you Becky – you have a lovely site! I can’t wait to check out some of your recipes. Thanks for stopping by!
Sandy
Can this be doubled and baked in a 9×13?
Tricia Buice
Hi Sandy – yes you can double it but watch the baking time. Thanks for the great question.
Liz
You’ve taken one of my favorite bars to a whole new level!!! These look amazing!!!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Liz!
Susan
They look luscious, Tricia! A perfect treat for family gatherings or a football tailgate. I’m sold!
Tricia Buice
Don’t leave them at home when you’re alone Susan! They are great to share 🙂 Glad you are feeling better and getting out and about! Be careful out there 🙂
Monica
What phenomenal photos, Tricia…but I’m sure these are as good as they look! What’s not to love about these! I know they have got to be amazing, and I wish I had some right now.
Tricia Buice
Thank you so much Monica – these are good enough to share 🙂
monique
OH I bet we all make these!Merci!
Tricia Buice
Be sure to make these when you have a crowd to help you eat them Monique!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
WHERE have these things been all my life? I can’t believe how much you managed to pack into these little bars, Tricia ~ they’d be so dangerous in our house!
Tricia Buice
Haha Sue – these are a little on the dangerous side 🙂
Chris Scheuer
Wow, amazing photos and a crazy delicious looking bar. Bravo Tricia!! Will definitely try these!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Chris! Good thing these disappear quickly because I don’t need them around the house for long!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Yes please! There’s a whole lot of yumminess in these bars, for sure 🙂 Can’t wait to try them.
Tricia Buice
Thank you so much Jennifer!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Who could ever resist the combo of chocolates, nuts and dulce de leche? They look divine!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Angie! These are a great treat to take to gatherings – always a favorite.