caramelitas

~ caramelitas ~

Buttery, shortbread-like crust with the added flavor and texture of rolled oats, ooey gooey caramel and chocolate. Everything a cookie bar should be. This is a super fast and easy recipe that gets gobbled up pretty quickly if you have a sweet tooth in your house. The perfect accompaniment to a fall picnic, afternoon tea or a cup of French press coffee!

1 and 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups rolled oats

1 and 1/2 cups dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup caramel sauce (or more)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix melted butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and vanilla until all ingredients are well incorporated. Press into a 9×13 cake pan, reserving about a cup of the mixture to sprinkle over the top.

Set oven to 350 degrees F. Bake crust until golden brown (about 20 minutes.) Remove from oven and spread caramel evenly over the top, adding a little more if you wish. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and remaining oat topping. Bake until the topping is golden. Cool before cutting and serving.

Enjoy!

~Melissa