The Best Ever Caramel Bars

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These Caramel Bars are a decadent treat with an oat cookie base, smooth chocolate layer, gooey caramel and oat crumble to top it all off. They are the perfect holiday treat.

caramel bars stacked on a serving plate, there is caramel dripping down the sides of the bars.

Why You Will Love this Recipe

My mother in law got this recipe from her mother and she gifted me a hand written recipe card for these caramel bars at my bridal shower. We have had them at Christmas time every year since I married into the family almost 16 years ago. They are absolutely indulgent and not even a smidge healthy (it’s all about balance) but they are one of our favorite holiday treats. I hope you and your family love them as much as we do.

Caramel bars with visible layers of oat cookie base, creamy chocolate and gooey caramel dripping down

What You Need

  • Caramel Bits – see recipe notes for more details
  • Whole Milk – or heavy cream
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Old Fashioned Oats
  • Brown Sugar
  • Baking Soda
  • Salt
  • Butter
  • Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
Caramel bars on a serving plate with gooey caramel dripping down

Recipe Notes

  • The recipe originally calls for 64 individually wrapped Kraft caramels, but they can be hard to find. I have a much easier time finding the Kraft caramel bits, so that is what I use, but they work just the same
  • Be sure to let the bars cool and then set in the fridge to be able to slice them into bars with the nice visible layers
  • We store ours in an airtight container in the fridge, you can also freeze leftovers (if there are any haha)
  • These keep really well and are perfect to gift to a friend for the holiday season

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The Best Ever Caramel Bars

Sara
These Caramel Bars are a decadent treat with an oat cookie base, smooth chocolate layer, gooey caramel and oat crumble to top it all off.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 bars
Calories 536 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 11 oz Bag of Kraft Caramel Bits or 64 wrapped caramels
  • 1/2 cup Whole Milk or heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups Unsalted Butter melted
  • 2 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 2 cups Old Fashioned Oats
  • 1.5 cups Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 2 cups Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13 baking dish
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the all purpose flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine
    Then stir in the melted butter and mix to combine
    Set aside about 1/4 of the mixture
  • Press the remaining 3/4 of the mixture into the bottom of your greased dish in an even layer
    Bake for 10 minutes
  • While the base is baking, add the caramel bits and milk to a small saucepan over medium/low heat
    Stir and heat just until melted and then set aside (be careful not to burn)
  • When the base is done baking, spread the chocolate chips evenly on top (they will melt)
    Then carefully pour the melted caramel over the chocolate layer and spread evenly
  • Use the mixture you set aside at the beginning to crumble over the top
    Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes
  • Let cool on the counter and then let set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars

Notes

Recipe Notes
  • The recipe originally calls for 64 individually wrapped Kraft caramels, but they can be hard to find. I have a much easier time finding the Kraft caramel bits, so that is what I use, but they work just the same
  • We store ours in an airtight container in the fridge, you can also freeze leftovers (if there are any haha)

Nutrition

Calories: 536kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 6gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 203mgPotassium: 267mgFiber: 3gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 564IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @thebetteredblondie

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