Indulge in the ultimate dessert decadence with these Oatmeal Caramel Bars, a heavenly combination of buttery oat layers, gooey caramel, and melty chocolate. This easy-to-make recipe starts with a crumbly oat crust, baked to golden perfection, and layered with a rich caramel filling made from melted caramel candies and heavy cream. A generous sprinkle of semi-sweet chocolate chips melts into the warm caramel, while a crumbly oatmeal topping adds the perfect crunch. With just 20 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes in the oven, these bars are a quick and irresistible treat for any occasion. Perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or an afternoon snack, these chewy, sweet, and salty bars are sure to impress. Plus, they store beautifully, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor for days!
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in the vanilla extract, then add the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt. Stir until combined and a crumbly dough forms.
Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, setting aside the remaining dough for the topping.
Bake the base layer in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then remove it and set it aside to cool slightly.
While the base cools, prepare the caramel filling. In a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler, melt the caramel candies with the heavy cream, stirring frequently until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Pour the melted caramel evenly over the baked crust, spreading it with a spatula to cover the surface.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the caramel layer.
Crumble the reserved dough over the top of the chocolate chips, creating a streusel-like topping.
Bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the caramel is bubbling around the edges.
Remove the dish from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This step is crucial for the caramel to set and the bars to hold together.
Once cool, cut into 16 squares and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Serving size | 1311.8 grams (1311.8g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 5739 |
Total Fat 220.80g | 283% |
Saturated Fat 126.50g | 633% |
Cholesterol 355mg | 118% |
Sodium 2997mg | 130% |
Total Carbohydrate 924.50g | 336% |
Dietary Fiber 33.40g | 119% |
Total Sugars 606.20g | |
Protein 62.80g | 126% |
Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
Calcium 728mg | 56% |
Iron 21mg | 114% |
Potassium 1645mg | 35% |
Source of Calories