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Making Tuesday a little more special and sweet with these Gooey Chocolate Oatmeal Bars. These easy homemade oatmeal cookie bars with chocolate chunks and a warm gooey “caramel” like center are the perfect way to bring something delicious to the average weekday. They’re made with a mix of pantry ingredients…oats, flour, butter, maple, vanilla, and a reduced amount of sugar. Most importantly, everyone LOVES these bars…they’re easy to make, difficult to mess up…and they always turn out GREAT!
So, originally these were going to be last Friday’s dessert, but then at the last minute, I panicked and convinced myself that no-one would care about oatmeal bars. NO ONE. So I switched things up…and I LOVE the caramel cake I created so much. Like so much, it’s one of my favorite cakes. I’m so happy I came up with it.
But the funny thing? I sent the oatmeal bars I had made home for my family to enjoy. The next morning, all I heard about from every last person currently staying at their house was just how delicious they were.
I mean, I knew they were good, but I have to say I was a little shocked. Someone even said that these bars are their new favorite dessert. Sooo, I clearly needed to rethink my stance on these bars. And now? With pretty photos and a very ooey-gooey dessert bar to share…I AM EXCITED.
I think it was all meant to play out this way. We got cake on Friday, which was perfect. And easy, sweet oatmeal bars on Tuesday, which feels very right to me.
The Back Story
My mom would often bake up oatmeal cookies. These bars totally remind me of something she’d bake up on Friday nights. They feel very “old school”, just like Friday’s cake and I’m loving it.
The idea is based on the dessert bars known as Carmelitas…oatmeal bars with chocolate chips and caramel in the center. I don’t love, love caramel. Especially the overly sugary store-bought candies. So instead of using real caramel, I used my trusty maple-based “caramel” sauce. It’s just as good but much less sugary. And to be honest? We think it’s better than real caramel.
So I put my maple-based caramel in the middle of the oatmeal bars and created my own version of Carmelitas.
Not only are these really easy to make, but they’re a true delight. Especially if you have the privilege of enjoying one warm, right out of the oven. DELICIOUS.
Here are the simple details.
This recipe requires just one bowl, a pot, and a couple of spoons. It’s completely no-fuss. Start to finish these will take less than an hour. You can’t mess these bars up. They’re that easy and they always turn out great.
In your mixing bowl combine all of the dry ingredients. Now, add all of the wet ingredients. Mix away until you have a crumbly dough. Stir in plenty of dark chocolate chunks, then press about half the dough into a baking dish. Bake for a bit to help the bottom layer set.
While that layer is baking, make the gooey layer. I use maple for sweetness, butter for creaminess, and a pinch of salt to create a silky, smooth, sweet, and salty sauce. As soon as the bottom layer has finished baking, pour over the gooey sauce, then crumble on the remaining dough.
Now finish the baking…
Smell the wonderfulness? Do you see the melty chocolate?
I know that nothing is perfect, but these bars are pretty close. Every bite is just perfectly sweet, chocolatey, and very gooey. When you eat them a little warm, they’re truly addicting. Fair warning…the salt on top really does keep you going back for seconds and thirds.
What I love about these sweet bars is that they’re so easy to make. They require no chilling and truly take almost no time at all. AND…I usually have these ingredients on hand. So when it’s Friday night and the urge for a deliciously warm chocolatey treat comes on? These bars are easy to mix up and deliciously satisfy the urge.
They’re great for all these cold, cold snowy days many of us have been having! This is very cheesy of me to say, but they’ll really warm you right up!
Looking for other easy winter desserts? Here are some favorites.
Healthier Baked Hot Chocolate Doughnuts
5 Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake
Lastly, if you make these Gooey Chocolate Oatmeal Bars be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Gooey Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Servings: 12 bars
Calories Per Serving: 311 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil or butter
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate chunks or chips
Gooey Caramel
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup real maple syrup
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line an 8×8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper. 2. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until the dough is moist and all the ingredients are combined. The dough will be crumbly. Mix in the chocolate chunks. Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of a prepared baking dish. Bake 10 minutes.3. Meanwhile, make the "caramel". In a medium pot, melt together the butter, brown sugar, and maple over medium heat. Gently boil, stirring constantly until thickened, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in a pinch of salt. 4. Remove the bars from the oven and pour the caramel over top. Crumble on the remaining oatmeal dough. Bake another 15 to 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let cool completely, then cut into bars…or eat them while warm and gooey with a sprinkle of sea salt on top.
This post was originally published on February 23, 2021
I made these last night and they are SOOO good. Soft, chewy, and the combination of flavours is to die for. Super easy recipe as well. I will definitely be making these again!
Hey Rachel,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xTieghan
I love all the recipes I have made. This one was so easy and I had all the stuff!
Hey Shannon,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, I am dying to make these and have everything on hand except light brown sugar. I just have demerara. Do you think that would work or is the flavour too strong for these?
Thanks, can’t wait to try them!
Hey Jacqueline,
I have not tested that, I just don’t think it will give you the results you are looking for! So sorry! xTieghan
Forgot to add the rating!
Thanks Katie:)
Literally the best dessert I’ve ever made!!! I’m not a huge caramel person, but this caramel sauce is so amazing. The cookie itself isn’t super sweet, so caramel sauce adds the perfect touch ?
Hey Katie,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xTieghan
These look amazing and I’m excited to try them out! Would it be possible to use the vegan caramel from your twix & snickers recipes in this one? (maple syrup & coconut milk) – My fiance is allergic to dairy, so I’d love to make these without the butter if possible. Any suggestions are appreciated!
(p.s. your recipes & instagram posts are some of my favorite to see. I live down in Denver, so it’s also nice to see the weather up in the mountains AND to know that your recipes will work at altitude. Thank you!)
Hey Katie,
Yes, I think that would work just fine for you! I hope you love the recipe and thanks for your kind message! xTieghan
Do you think you could add a layer of nut butter to add some protein? Thinking these will make an excellent long ski day snack 🙂
Hey Lacey,
I haven’t tested this, but you could certainly give it a try! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These sound amazing. If I want to add chopped pecans, should I just add to the top layer or would I want to also add to bottom layer?
Hey Janet,
I would add them to the top layer. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you have a vegan version for the caramel?
Thanks! NDW
Hey there,
You can follow the recipe for this caramel:)
https://fett-weg.today/vegan-snickers/#bo-recipe%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi! Can i substitute the butter for applesauce for the caramel?
Hey there,
Sorry apple sauce will not quite give you the same results. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi there! I am not vegan but eating dairy free – just curious if you think vegan butter would work for the “caramel” layer? Or I could just skip it entirely I suppose but it sounds so good! (I’m assuming it wouldn’t be AS good as butter, I love butter haha) I just have a BF babe right now that doesn’t seem to like dairy, at some point I can be back on butter!
Hey Brit,
You can totally skip the caramel layer. I would recommend baking the bars for 25-28 minutes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi! Going to make these today. Question… you said to boil 5-8 minutes for the Carmel sauce. How do you know when to stop? Is there a thickness or a temp that you are going for? Thanks!
Hey Brooks,
You want it to look semi thick, if you head to my IG you can view the video for a better idea of what you want to look for. I hope this helps! xTieghan
I currently live in Europe. We do not have maple syrup. I know completely awful! Do you know can I sub honey?
Hey Meredith,
I think honey will work well for you. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
OMG! Lucky Wednesday for me! ?? this just came in my feed box. It’s only 6 am here but man oh man I cannot wait to make these now! TFS❣️These sound & look amazing! ?
I hope you love the recipe Christy! xTieghan
Super yum, easy to make with all the ingredients already in pantry.
Hey Sydney,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan