Nana Mabel’s Carmelita Bars – Match Foodie Finds

You haven’t lived till you’ve tried our Nana Mabel’s Carmelita Bars! Each chunk is a crunchy, candy, and gooey indulgence of crispy oats, wealthy chocolate, and creamy caramel. It’s the proper candy deal with for any event!

A stack of four chocolate chip oatmeal bars placed on a white surface, with scattered chocolate chips around them.
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My Nana Mabel has introduced these carmelita bars to each household event I can keep in mind, and they’re all the time successful at gatherings and potlucks. She would even stick with it a Tupperware of completely stacked carmelitas and fly to household gatherings — they’re really some of the nostalgic desserts for me and my household ❤️ . Though she has since handed away, you’ll by no means be at one in all our household Thanksgivings, Christmases, birthdays — you title it — the place somebody has continued the custom and introduced a batch of carmelitas.

The caramel tastes SO YUMMY with the crunchy oats and walnuts, and the chocolate chips simply take it to an entire new degree.

Simply combine the batter, bake, then add the chocolate-walnut-caramel layer, prime with the leftover batter, and bake once more till a stunning golden brown. Tremendous easy and candy, similar to our Nana was!

  • Fast-cooking oats: We want quick-cooking oats on this recipe for his or her smaller measurement and softer texture.
  • Mild brown sugar: This offers the bars their wealthy, caramely taste.
  • Salted butter: Be sure to use softened butter to make the batter easy and simple to combine.
  • Chopped walnuts: Use uncooked walnuts for the perfect texture and taste.
  • Semisweet chocolate chips: These add a contact of sweetness and an irresistible chocolatey layer to the bars.
  • Caramel sauce: Ties the whole lot along with its gooey sweetness. You should use store-bought or do-it-yourself caramel sauce.
  • Electrical mixer: This may make it easier to combine the batter so the whole lot is evenly included.
A handwritten recipe card for Carmelita bars with step-by-step instructions and a blue floral illustration on the right.

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Household Recipe Sequence

The entire recipes on this sequence are impressed by somebody particular in every of our households. These are the recipes we grew up having fun with throughout the holidays. From our hearts to yours ❤️

A baking tray filled with a dessert topped with melted caramel, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts.

Sure, you may positively substitute the oats, however remember that the feel could also be barely completely different. Fast-cooking oats are thinner and extra finely chopped, whereas old school oats are thicker and chewier. In case you want a smoother and softer texture in your bars, then quick-cooking oats can be a more sensible choice.

We used Ghiradelli caramel sauce, however any caramel sauce will do. You too can make your individual caramel sauce at residence should you want.

Attempt These Carmelita Bars with Sunflower Seeds!

Rosie’s (our kitchen supervisor!) daughter has nut allergy symptoms so she examined this carmelita bars recipe with sunflower seeds, and we’re completely satisfied to report that it labored nice. Candy and salty flavors come collectively to create a scrumptious and distinctive twist on the traditional bars!

A metal baking pan filled with crumbly dessert bars. Two bars have been cut out, revealing a layered filling, while the rest of the dessert remains uncut. A fork and a napkin are nearby.

right here’s a tip!

To make these bars further gooey, prime them with an extra layer of caramel sauce after baking. Merely warmth up the caramel sauce in a small saucepan or microwave and drizzle it over the nice and cozy bars. Allow them to cool for a couple of minutes earlier than reducing and serving. Yum yum.

A stack of four chocolate chip oatmeal bars with crumbly tops is displayed on a white surface, surrounded by a few scattered chocolate chips.

These carmelita bars may be saved in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 3 days. If you wish to maintain them for longer, you may retailer them within the fridge for as much as per week or within the freezer for as much as 3 months. Simply make sure that to convey them again to room temperature earlier than serving.

  • Preheat the oven to 325ºF and grease a 9×13-inch pan.

  • Subsequent, add the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and butter to a bowl. Use an electrical mixer to combine till fully mixed.

  • Press half of the batter into the underside of the pan and set the opposite half of the batter apart for later. Bake for 5-8 minutes or till frivolously browned. Put aside and let cool for 10 minutes.

  • Unfold the walnuts and chocolate chips over the baked crust.

  • Combine the caramel sauce and three tablespoons of flour right into a small bowl. As soon as mixed, pour the combination over the chocolate chips and walnuts.

  • Lastly, crumble the remaining batter from step 3 excessive of the caramel.

  • Enhance the oven temperature to 350ºF and bake for an extra 15-20 minutes or till golden brown.

  • We additionally examined this recipe with sunflower seeds and it’s nice.
  • We used Ghiradelli caramel sauce, however any caramel sauce will do.

Energy: 317 kcal, Carbohydrates: 33 g, Protein: 4 g, Fats: 20 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 18 g

Diet data is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

Pictures: photographs taken on this publish are by Erin from The Picket Skillet.