Pies and Plots

Writing Never Tasted So Sweet

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Books

Carmelitas

May 2, 2012

Share
Pin3
Tweet
Email
Print
3Shares
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Carmelitas

I have a few hundred recipes bookmarked and about fifty more printed that I want to try.  Some were added to the list as recently as this week, while others have been sitting in the pile just waiting to be made for years.  Because I only bake a couple times a week at most, and there are a bunch of recipes I love so much I can’t help but make them over and over again, these really yummy looking recipes don’t make it onto the baking agenda as often as I’d like.  I hope I have the chance to make them all one day, as when I do get around to making them, after contemplating doing so forever, they tend to turn out really well.

Carmelitas were one of those recipes.  I’ve thought about making them a bunch of times, but I either didn’t have all of the ingredients or went with something else.  The baking planets aligned this week though, with all of the ingredients available, moving Carmelitas from just a bookmark to the oven.  Like so many of these recipes, I wish I wouldn’t have waited this long to make them.  With the first tiny taste, I was basically jumping up and down with dessert happiness.

Oatmeal Crust

Oatmeal Crust

These kind of unassuming looking bars, a little brown and blah, crumbly, make you think they’ll be just another bar; they’ll be good, but not amazing.  One bite is all it will take to change your mind.  These are insanely delicious.  The oatmeal cookie crust on the top and bottom is soft and chewy with that great oatmeal texture, while the gooey caramel fills the middle.  It sets enough so it doesn’t ooze out everywhere, but still has that magnificent caramel flavor and texture.  I loved the salted caramel recipe before it went into these bars, but it is out of this world stuck in the middle of oaty goodness.  Then there’s the crunch of the pecans.  Not too much, but just enough to give the bars a little something extra.  Be sure to try an end piece, where you get the best of both worlds: that dense, soft, chewy middle, and the slightly crispy edge with caramel that while still soft has been baked slightly harder, giving it an entirely different texture.

Caramel and Pecans

A small bar is plenty, as they are very rich.  They’re great for entertaining, sharing, and snacking.  They’re really great anytime, anywhere.  I have a new recipe to add to the pile of favorites that is always in rotation.  If I could, I’d make these at least once a month.  I have a feeling you’ll feel the same way.

Carmelitas

Carmelitas

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Carmelitas


★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 ¼ cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 ½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup roughly chopped pecans
  • 1 recipe Salted Caramel Sauce, which you can find here or in the previous post
  • 2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13 inch pan. Then line the pan with parchment, leaving enough overhang to be able to pull the bars out in one piece, and butter the parchment.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the 2 cups of flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and butter. You may use a mixer, wooden spoon, your hands, or a combination. I found the spoon and hands to be good enough; no mixer required. Mix until well combined, but still slightly crumbly. Divide the mixture into 2 equal portions.
  3. Press half the crumb mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and cool slightly while preparing the next step.
  4. Stir 2 ½ tablespoons flour into the salted caramel sauce until fully combined. Sprinkle pecans evenly over baked crust. Spread the caramel evenly over the crust and pecans. It is okay is some of the pecans get mixed in. The caramel should cover the entire surface of the crust. Sprinkle the other half of the crumb mixture over the caramel. It should cover all the caramel quite generously.
  5. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. The crust will begin to turn very light brown and the caramel will be bubbling. Though the bars may look underbaked and be very soft to the touch, they are completely baked and will firm up as they cool.
  6. Cool completely before cutting into bars and serving or the caramel will be too soft and sticky. May be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen wrapped in parchment and foil and placed in a zipper bag for up to three months.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Kelsey Nixon

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @piesandplots on Instagram

 

 

Filed Under: Baked Goods, Bars, Caramel Tagged With: Bars, Caramel, Dessert, Oatmeal, Pecans

Don’t Miss a Bite!

« Salted Caramel Sauce
Joe Muer Seafood »

Comments

  1. Shayna says

    May 3, 2012 at 12:56 am

    Laura – These were wonderful!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Eric says

    May 4, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    Those look great, please send samples.. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Tara Noland says

    May 6, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    These look great. Thanks for coming by my site too!

    Reply
  4. Slice of Southern says

    May 6, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    Hi, came over from Tasty Kitchen and I just love your blog! I’m having a little linky party and would love it if you would join and bring over this recipe! It’s called Southern Sundays, and is going on now. Hope to see you there. http://www.asliceofsouthern.blogspot.com

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Fluffernutter Rice Krispies Treats | Pies and Plots says:
    May 28, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    […] And so now an appointment at the dermatologist means a trip to the kitchen.  I’ve brought Carmelitas, Iced Hermits, Biscoff Fudge, Puppy Chow, and probably a few other things.  Clearly I visit the […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to Pies and Plots. I’m Laura Dembowski, writer, baker, and fashionista sharing recipes, reviews, and tips to inspire you to enjoy life both inside and outside the kitchen.
…Read More

Pre-Order My First Book!

Don’t Miss a Bite!

my foodgawker gallery
TODAY.com Parenting Team FC Contributor

The Latest

Categories

piesandplots

Fashion 👡 👗Florida ☀️🌴 Fiction 🖋📚 Food 🎂🥩
Cause of Death is available now! 🥳
#ootdshare #floridavibes #amwriting #bakersofinstagram

Laura Dembowski
Merry Christmas from my family to yours 🎄 ⛄️❤💚❤

#merrychristmas #christmasvibes #christmastree #christmasdecorations #christmastime #christmasfashion #holidayseason #holidayvibes #holidayspirit #holidayfashion #familytime #familyphotography #familygoals #familyisforever #rcmemories #ritzcarlton #ritzcarltonorlando #ootdshare #ootdfashion #strikeapose #model #floridaholiday #floridachristmas #orlandoinfluencer #orlandofl #thecitybeautiful #tistheseason #tisthedamnseason #blondehairdontcare #lookgoodfeelgood
I'm loving wearing metallics this holiday season 💖💖💖 They bring that Christmas vibe but in a more sophisticated, subtle way. The details for this outfit are on the blog, and I'll have a new post with more gold and silver tomorrow ✨️ 💛 

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #fashiondiaries #fashionista #fashionnova #fashionstyle #ootdshare #christmasvibes #christmastime #christmasfashion #holidayvibes #holidayseason #holidayspirit #metallicdress #golddress #oscardelarenta #blondehairdontcare #cheerstolife #cheersyall #redlipclassic #redlips #floridaholiday #orlandoinfluencer #orlandofl #floridagirl #thecitybeautiful #rcmemories #ritzcarltonorlando #ritzcarlton #happygirl
Currently craving a giant slice of this Espresso V Currently craving a giant slice of this Espresso Vanilla Bean Tiramisu Cake. Then again, when am I not craving it??? This cake has all the flavors of tiramisu and is covered in a drippy glaze that packs a second kick of coffee. So that means it's totally acceptable to eat this for breakfast, right??? ☕😋

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #cakecakecake #tiramisu #tiramisucake #imsomartha #thebakefeed #feedfeed #thekitchn #buzzfeedfood #huffposttaste #todayfood #yahoofood #bonappetit #cakeforbreakfast #breakfastofchampions #grainfree #christmasvibes #christmascake #christmasrecipe #comfortfood #butfirstcoffee #halfbakedharvest #coffeerecipes #coffeecake #glutenfree #vanillabean #tiramisurecipe #holidayrecipe
Champagne and caviar are a classic flavor combinat Champagne and caviar are a classic flavor combination, but they make a pretty awesome and festive fashion combination too. Navy and black dresses, paired with metallic accessories is an elegant yet updated holiday look. These outfit details are on the blog right now! 🥂

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #ootdshare #festivefashion #christmasoutfit #champagneandcaviar #holidayoutfit #christmasvibes #holidayvibes #fashioninspo #styleinspo #lookgoodfeelgood #festiveseason #metallicdress #lbd #lacedress #ladydiorbag #dressup #strikeapose #model #floridachristmas #floridaholidays #sunsetvibes #smize #thecitybeautiful #orlandoinfluencer #blondehairdontcare #cheersyall #merrychristmas
Cookie baking season is upon us 😋 While the cla Cookie baking season is upon us 😋 While the classics are always nice, it can be a lot of fun to play around with new flavor combinations like the ones in these Tahini Cookies studded with crunchy almonds and chewy raisins. Think of them like a peanut butter cookie's more sophisticated older sister 😎 And head over to the blog to snag the recipe 🍪

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #cookiemonster #cookiesofinstagram #cookiestagram #healthycookies #cookiesforbreakfast #tahinicookies #tahinirecipe #tahini #cookieseason #christmascookies #imsomartha #f52grams #foodgawker #huffposttaste #buzzfeedfood #todayfood #yahoofood #bonapetit #cookierecipe #paleocookies #christmasbaking #ambaking #holidaybaking #breakfastcookies #foodfluencer #uniquecookies #almondcookie
Ready to wear all the cozy clothes and festive col Ready to wear all the cozy clothes and festive colors 🎄💚

The details for this outfit are on the blog!

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #ootdshare #ootdfashion #fashionstyle #styleinspo #christmasoutfit #christmasvibes #holidayvibes #sweaterweather #cozyclothes #floridachristmas #floridaholiday #lookgoodfeeltgood #strikeapose #model #orlandoinfluencer #orlandofl #thecitybeautiful #blondehairdontcare #denimskirt #chunkysweater #smize #happygirl #positivevibes #inthespirit #tistheseason #tisthedamnseason #downtownorlando
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Pies and Plots · Web Design by Viva la Violet