With a buttery oat crust and layers of gooey caramel and rich chocolate, these oatmeal carmelitas are the kind of classic cookie bar that’s always a hit!

Chewy oatmeal carmelita bars stacked on a plate, showing layers of melted chocolate and gooey caramel.

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Oatmeal Carmelitas Recipe

These oatmeal carmelitas take cookie bars to the next level with a chewy oatmeal crust, rich chocolate, and a gooey caramel layer. They’re soft like my favorite oatmeal cookies and have the same indulgent caramel filling you’ll find in my caramel butter bars.

Think of them as a cross between a chewy cookie bar and a homemade Twix bar—all in one gooey bite!

I first discovered this recipe at a cookie exchange years ago, it’s adapted from a 1967 Pillsbury Bake-Off winner. They’re so rich and irresistible, I usually send the extras into my husband’s work just to keep from eating the whole pan. They disappear fast!

Ingredient Notes

  • Soft caramels: Use about 35 soft caramels, such as Kraft squares or Werther’s chewy caramels. Unwrap them before melting.
  • Heavy cream: Combines with the caramels for a smooth, rich filling.
  • Old-fashioned oats: Rolled oats give the crust its chewy texture and hold up better than quick oats.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips: A classic choice that balances the sweetness of the caramel without overpowering it.

Choosing the Right Caramel

The caramel layer is what makes these bars so irresistible. Here are a few great options depending on what you have on hand:

  • Caramel squares or bits (recommended): This is my go-to. Melt one package of caramel squares (or bits) with heavy cream over low heat until smooth and pourable.
  • Store-bought caramel sauce: In a pinch, use ½ cup of thick store-bought caramel sauce. For best results, stir in 1½ Tablespoons of flour to help it set properly in the bars.
  • Homemade caramel: If you have a favorite homemade caramel sauce, feel free to use it! Just make sure it’s thick enough—adding a couple Tablespoons of flour helps create the right consistency for layering.

How to Make Carmelitas

Add caramels and heavy cream in a medium-sized pan. Melt over low heat until smooth, stirring constantly. Set aside.

Soft caramel candies melting with heavy cream in a saucepan for the carmelita filling.

In a large bowl, combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, butter and baking soda. Press a little more than half of the dough into the bottom of the parchment-lined pan and smooth out. Bake in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Warm caramel being poured over the chocolate chip layer in the pan before adding the oat topping.

Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of bottom layer. Then pour caramel mixture evenly over chocolate. Crumble remaining dough over the top. Place back in oven and bake an additional 13-17 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and cool at least 1 hour before cutting.

A close-up view of an oatmeal carmelita bar with visible layers of oats, chocolate, and caramel.

Baking Tips

  • Line the pan: Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges when slicing.
  • Don’t overfill with caramel: Leave about ½ inch from the edge so the caramel doesn’t overflow or stick.
  • Watch your caramel consistency: Thin caramel can make the bars too gooey to slice. If your sauce seems runny, mix in a spoonful of flour to help it set properly once baked.
  • Cool completely before cutting: The bars need time to set. Chill them in the fridge to speed up the process.
  • Optional add-ins: For extra crunch, stir in chopped nuts with the chocolate chips, like a homemade Snickers bar!
Freshly baked oatmeal carmelitas sliced into squares with caramel oozing from the center.

Love chocolate and caramel? Other must try treats include tmy Twix cookie recipe, chocolate fudge caramel brownies and coconut caramel cookies!

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stack of carmelitas with caramel oozing out

Oatmeal Carmelitas

5 from 8 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Let Cool: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 25
With a buttery oat crust and layers of gooey caramel and rich chocolate, these oatmeal carmelitas are the kind of classic cookie bar that's always a hit!
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Ingredients 

  • 11 ounce package caramels or caramel bits , unwrapped (about 35)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar , packed
  • ¾ cup butter , melted (I used salted)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Prep. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9" baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside
  • Make caramel layer. Combine 35 unwrapped caramels and 1/2 cup heavy cream in a medium-sized pan. Heat over low heat until smooth, stirring constantly. Set aside.
  • Make oatmeal crust and topping. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, rolled 1 cup oats, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup melted butter and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Stir until combined. Press a little more than half of the dough into the bottom of the pan.
  • Bake. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.
  • Chocolate layer. Remove from oven and sprinkle 3/4 cup chocolate chips over top. Then pour caramel mixture evenly over the chocolate (leaving about 1/2 inch from the edge). Crumble the rest of the oatmeal dough over the top and gently pat down.
  • Bake, cool and serve. Place back in the oven and bake an additional 13-17 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and cool at least 1 hour before cutting.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

  • To make these easier, you can use 1/2 cup store bought caramel sauce instead of making the caramel (omit caramels and heavy cream), however you’ll need to mix it with 1 1/2 Tablespoons flour.
  • You can also add chopped nuts when you add the chocolate chips, if desired.
  • To speed up the cooling process, I usually stick the bars in the fridge.
To store: Store at room temp in an airtight container for about 3-5 days.
Freezing: Add bars to an airtight container or freezer bag and store in freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 127mg, Potassium: 88mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 248IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Stack of gooey oatmeal carmelitas.