Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Bars (Decadent Dessert Bar Recipe!) (2024)

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 & 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

For the caramel:

• 9 ounces soft caramels, unwrapped (about 32 caramels)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

For the topping:

• 1 cup chopped nuts, such as pecans or hazelnuts
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup toffee bits

Instructions

To make the crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9"x 13"x 2" baking pan.
2. Combine the flour, oats, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender, a fork, or your fingers until thoroughly combined. The mixture will be crumbly but should hold together when pinched.
3. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture for the topping.
4. Press the remaining crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
5. Bake 15 minutes. Set aside.

To make the caramel:

1. Place the caramels and cream in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the caramels have melted and the mixture is smooth.
2. Pour evenly over the partially baked crust.

To make the topping:

1. Sprinkle the nuts, chocolate chips, and toffee bits over the caramel.
2. Sprinkle the reserved crust on top of the other toppings. Press the toppings down lightly into the caramel.
3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are browned. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.