Name: Oatmeal Caramelitas
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 32 caramels (unwrapped); 5 tablespoons heavy cream (can substitute half & half or evaporated milk); 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed); 3/4 cup unsalted butter (melted); 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup white whole wheat flour; 1 cup rolled or quick cooking oats; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

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Oatmeal caramelitas are my all-time favorite bar cookie. With gooey caramel, chocolate, and oatmeal, these cookies satisfy all of my sweet cravings though I like to pretend they are a little bit healthy with the whole wheat flour. And they are an easy cookie to make with the kids.

To double the recipe, use a 9×13 pan and allow about 30 minutes for the final baking.

[Updated February 22, 2011.]

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Oatmeal Caramelitas

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time35 mins

Total Time50 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Keyword: bar cookies, caramel, chocolate, nuts, oatmeal, pecans, whole grains

Servings: bars

Calories: 228kcal

Equipment

microwave-safe bowl or a double boiler
stand mixer with paddle attachment, or hand mixer and large bowl
8×8 baking pan, ungreased

Ingredients

32 caramels (unwrapped)
5 tablespoons heavy cream (can substitute half & half or evaporated milk)
¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
¾ cup unsalted butter (melted)
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1 cup rolled or quick cooking oats
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

US Customary - Metric

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350° F/175 C°.
Put the caramels and cream in the microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 60 seconds and stir. Repeat until caramels are all melted and cream is incorporated. (Or, melt caramels and cream or in the double boiler, stirring frequently, until blended and creamy.)
In the bowl of the stand mixer, mix brown sugar, melted butter, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Add the flour and oats and stir on low speed. The mixture should be crumbly.
Use your fingers to spread ⅔ of the oatmeal mixture in the bottom of the ungreased 8×8 pan, and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips and nuts over the crust. Spread the caramel mixture over the chocolate chips and nuts, then sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the caramel mixture.
Bake again for 25 minutes or until top is golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack.
Allow to cool for 1-2 hours before serving.