Caramel Oat Chocolate Bars (Printable Version)
Oat and chocolate bars layered with creamy caramel and baked until golden brown.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cookie Base
01 -
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
02 -
1.5 cups old-fashioned oats
03 -
1 cup salted butter, melted
04 -
0.75 cup light brown sugar, packed
05 -
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
06 -
1 teaspoon baking soda
07 -
0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
→ Chocolate and Caramel Layer
08 -
1.5 cups milk chocolate chips
09 -
11 ounces individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
10 -
0.5 cup heavy cream
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang, and lightly grease with nonstick spray.
02 -
Combine flour, oats, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, baking soda, and kosher salt until just incorporated.
03 -
Press half of the cookie base mixture evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, unwrap the caramels.
04 -
In a small heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt the caramels with heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth. Alternatively, microwave stirring every 45 seconds until fully combined.
05 -
Immediately after removing the base from the oven, evenly sprinkle milk chocolate chips over the hot cookie layer.
06 -
Pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the chocolate chips.
07 -
Sprinkle the remaining cookie base mixture over the caramel layer, allowing minor gaps to close during baking.
08 -
Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and firm to the touch.
09 -
Allow bars to rest a few minutes, then chill in the refrigerator for 1.5 to 2 hours until fully cooled. Use parchment overhang to lift bars out and cut into 16 equal pieces.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Chilling the bars ensures clean slicing and helps them hold their shape.