Caramel Oatmeal Bars Recipe
- Kim
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
If you’re in the mood for something rich, chewy, and downright irresistible, these Caramel Oatmeal Bars are it. Made with an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie base and loaded with sweet caramel. These bars come together quickly, will feed a crowd and are delicious!
If you love oatmeal cookies and gooey caramel, get ready to fall in love with these chewy Caramel Oatmeal Bars. They’re everything you want in a cookie bar - soft and chewy with layers of gooey caramel and melted chocolate, all nestled between buttery oatmeal cookie dough. Whether you're baking for a bake sale, or just feeding a serious sweet tooth, these bars are a great addition to your collection of go-to cookie bar recipes. They’ve got that nostalgic classic oatmeal chocolate chip cookie vibe with a little something extra thanks to the caramel.Â
I have shared that I've been collecting recipes the majority of my life and this recipe came to me in the mid 1980's. This is the perfect sweet treat to take to work potlucks, game day tailgates or for sharing at the holidays because it is easy to make and it makes a lot! I would never steer you wrong when it comes to good food and THIS is good food!
What You Need
Butter                Â
Dark Brown Sugar
Eggs
Vanilla extract
All Purpose Flour
Baking Soda
Quick Oats
Chocolate Chips
Caramels
Milk
Tips for Making Caramel Oatmeal Bars
Start with room temperature ingredients for the best mixing results, especially when using a hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, creaming the butter and light brown sugar until fluffy is key.
Use quick rolled oats for a more uniform, soft bite texture.Â
To create the perfect layers, press half of the mixture into a parchment paper-lined inch baking pan (parchment paper optional) and reserve the other half for the second layer after adding your caramel sauce.
Try mixing things up and try milk chocolate chips or butterscotch chips, or go bold with dark chocolate chips or even white chocolate chips.
Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack before slicing.Â
Want to make it even more indulgent? Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of extra caramel.
More Delicious Bars
How to Make Caramel Oatmeal Bars
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F.  In a medium bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon baking soda and mix to combine.Â
Step 2: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat 1 cup butter, 2 cups brown sugar, 2 eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until all ingredients are combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until fully combined. Stir in 3 cups quick rolled oats and mix well.Â
Step 3: Press 1/2 to 2/3 of the mixture into and ungreased 10x15-inch pan. Sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips over the top of the mixture and set aside.
Step 4: Unwrap 24 caramels and place in a medium pan and add 2 tablespoons milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted. Drizzle the caramel mixture over the chocolate chips and gently spread over the bars. Drop the remaining dough by teaspoon over the top of the chocolate and caramel.Â
Above Left: Caramels melting in milk. Above Right: chocolate chips and caramel mixture topped with remaining dough.
Step 5: Bake for 25 minutes but please note that the baking time may vary slightly. The edges should be golden brown and the center just set.
How to Store Caramel Oatmeal Bars
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to one week or on a serving platter covered with plastic wrap for up 2 days.
These chewy oatmeal cookie bars is an amazing recipe that I hope you’ll come back to next time you need a crowd-pleasing treat. With the perfect blend of chewy cookie crust, rich caramel, and chocolatey goodness, they remind me of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies turned into decadent bar. They are Forkin' Good!
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If you make this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment at the bottom of this page! THANK YOU!
