Salted Caramel Candied Pecan Carmelitas
These bars are packed with chocolate, oats, pecans, and are dripping with salted caramel! Beyond-words amazing and an absolute must-make!!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter melted (1 1/2 sticks; I use unsalted butter but salted may be used)
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats not instant or quick cook
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 10 ounces salted caramel sauce thick, storebought or homemade
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 6 ounces
- 1 cup pecan halves candied
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8×8-inch pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Lining your pan is highly recommended for ease of cleanup due to the stickiness of the caramel; set pan aside.
- To a large microwave-safe bowl, add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 90 to 120 seconds.
- Add the brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
- Add the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and stir until combined.
- Turn half of the mixture out into the prepared pan (just eyeball it), and smooth it with spatula to create an even, smooth, flat crust layer; set remainder aside. Bake crust for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove pan from the oven and evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips, pecans, and evenly pour the caramel sauce over the top. The sauce I used is very thick but with patience it can be spread with a spatula to completely cover pan.
- Evenly crumble the reserved oatmeal mixture over the top like small pebbles, approximately 1/4-inch in diameter.
- Return pan to oven and bake for about 15 to 16 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned and center is set.
- Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving, giving the molten caramel time to firm up. This can take up to 3 hours, or overnight, at room temperature. You can speed it up by placing pan in fridge with a sheet of foil over the top to prevent fridge smells. If you don’t wait for bars to cool completely, they’ll be very messy and hard to slice neatly.
Notes
- Storage: Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Adapted from Carmelitas.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 309
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 309kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 41% |
| Cholesterol | 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 530mg | 22% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 19g | 38% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.