Caramelitas (Print Version)

Ingredients:

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour.
02 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats.
03 - 1½ cups brown sugar, packed.
04 - 1 tsp baking soda.
05 - ½ tsp salt.
06 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, melted.
07 - 1½ cups caramel sauce.
08 - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.
09 - ½ cup chopped pecans (optional).

Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Line it with parchment paper for easy lifting.
02 - In a large bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
03 - Add the melted butter and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly.
04 - Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden.
05 - Once the crust is out of the oven, evenly distribute the chocolate chips and pecans (if using) on top. Pour the caramel sauce over the layer and spread evenly.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top of the caramel layer, pressing it down gently to form a cohesive top.
07 - Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the caramel bubbles around the edges.
08 - Let the caramelitas cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes:

01 - Caramelitas are a decadent dessert featuring layers of chocolate, caramel, and a buttery oat crust.
02 - For best results, allow the bars to cool fully before cutting to avoid the caramel oozing out.