Once you have that rich, silky caramel sauce ready, pull the crust out of the oven. Evenly sprinkle a generous amount of chocolate chips over the warm crust. Slowly pour the creamy caramel mixture over the chocolate layer, ensuring it’s spread uniformly. Now, for the finishing touch, sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top.
Pop the dish back into the oven for another 15-20 minutes or until the top turns a lovely golden brown. Resist the urge to dig in right away; these bars need to set. Allow them to cool for at least an hour. For best results, you might even want to refrigerate them for a bit. It makes slicing them into neat bars easier, and the coolness contrasts beautifully with the gooey caramel-chocolate center.
To serve, cut into squares and watch the caramel ooze out, revealing the luscious layers of chocolate and crumbly cookie crust. Pair with a cold glass of milk or a steaming cup of coffee, and you’re in for a treat that’s the perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and flavor.
In conclusion, these Caramelitas are not just a dessert; they are an experience. Every bite offers a burst of gooey caramel, melted chocolate, and a buttery cookie base that will leave you and your loved ones craving for more. It’s a decadent treat that embodies the magic of the chocolate-caramel duo, making it a must-have addition to your baking repertoire.
Ingredients:
¾ cup butter, melted
1 cup flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking soda
11 oz bag of baking caramels
½ cup heavy cream
1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Either grease a 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
Caramel Sauce: In a saucepan, combine the caramels and heavy cream. Stir continuously over medium heat until you have a smooth caramel sauce. Once ready, set it aside to cool slightly.
Oat Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, and baking soda. Stir until everything is well incorporated.
Layering: Transfer half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, pressing it down to form an even base. Bake this crust in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until it’s lightly set.
Assembling: After taking out the crust, scatter the chocolate chips evenly over it. Carefully pour the prepared caramel sauce on top, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Finally, crumble the remaining oat mixture on top.
Baking: Place the dish back into the oven and continue baking for another 18-20 minutes or until the top turns a golden brown.
Cooling: It’s essential to let the bars cool completely before slicing to allow the caramel to set and to get clean cuts. For the best results, you might want to refrigerate them for an hour or so.
Serve these bars as a delightful dessert after dinner, or as a special treat with your afternoon coffee. Enjoy the perfect harmony of flavors and textures in each bite!