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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
These are delicious!!! My caramel got slightly more like fudge but it still worked (i think i boiled it too long) but it was still so so good! My kids loved them!
Hey Lori,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have great week:) xTieghan
Just made these incredibly delicious gooey bars!!! The family couldn’t eat them fast enough!!!
Hey Jill,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have great week:) xTieghan
I just made this–decided not to use the caramel. I added nuts and raisins so it’d be like oatmeal raisin cookie bars.The ingredients list one egg, but the directions say “eggs”. I only used one but am thinking maybe it needed another one. could you pls clarify? Thanks–I love all of your recipes!
Hey Fran,
Thanks for trying the recipe! Yes, 1 egg is correct. xTieghan
This are heavenly!!! So good and the caramel center is the perfect touch. Definitely keeping this recipe around!!
Hey Diana,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have great week:) xTieghan
This are heavenly!!! So good and the caramel center is the perfect touch. Definitely keeping this recipe around??
Hey Diana,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have great week:) xTieghan
These are easy, decadent, and delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and they were a hit with my women friends (and husband). Just cut them into small bars because they are super sweet!
Hey Karen,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have great week:) xTieghan
Hi HBH!
Do you have any tips to stop the caramel from hardening and keep it gooey in the center overnight?? Made these over the weekend and they were a huge hit!! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Hey Mekayla,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, if the caramel was hard that means it was cooked for slightly too long. Next time, just don’t boil as long. I hope this helps! xTieghan
I made these last week to serve when my mom was visiting and they were sooo delicious! I wanted to make them in a 9×13″ pan, so I increased the recipe by half, but I think next time I’ll just go ahead and double it. I also didn’t have any dark chocolate so I used semi-sweet chocolate chips. I’m sure they’re delicious with dark chocolate too, but I can’t find a single complaint about how mine turned out. We’ve been eating them warm with a dollop of whipped cream…absolute heaven!
Hey Mary,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a try, I am delighted that the recipe was enjoyed! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Hi there, if I’m using butter instead of coconut oil in the bars is it salted or unsalted butter? You reference salted in the caramel sauce so I’m assuming it’s unsalted up above? Thank you!
Hey Cara,
I always use salted butter in my recipes. I hope you love the bars, let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Sooooo good, especially while still warm. A new favorite in our house.
Hey Anna,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a try, I am delighted that the recipe was enjoyed! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
OMG these are delicious! We can’t stop eating them, seriously addicting!
Hey Joanne,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that the recipe was enjoyed! Have a fantastic weekend! xTieghan
I made these this week and shared with the neighbors (because I would have eaten the entire pan). The neighbor text was on fire about these amazing bars! 5 stars for sure 🙂
Hey Maribeth,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that the recipe was enjoyed! Have a fantastic weekend! xTieghan
Hi quick question here…
First, I’m obsessed with every recipe of yours I’ve tried and am looking forward to making these today!
Instead of coconut oil in the cookie, should I use salted or unsalted butter?
Thank you!
Hey Lindsey,
I would use salted butter. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These are amazing!! Had to hide them so my husband wouldn’t eat them all the first night! Love the caramel center.
Hey Allie,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that the recipe was enjoyed! Have a fantastic weekend! xTieghan
So easy to make and even my picky eaters loved them. Making for the 2nd time in a week tomorrow.
Hey Brandy,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that the recipe was enjoyed! Have a fantastic weekend! xTieghan