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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
This is a new favorite dessert in our house! Perfect combination of caramel salty sweet. I recommend putting in the fridge to cool completely. These won’t last long – absolutely delicious!
Hey Stephanie,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
I tried this after my sister made it and raved about it, but the caramel layer did not work for me and I’m not sure why— it looked caramel-y in the pot, sticking to the spatula when I poured it into the pan, but in the oven it just sank into the bottom layer and created a mushy sugary oat paste, not a lovely cookie like in the photos. The caramel that had bubbled around the top and edges was grainy and not like a gooey sauce at all. Once I figure out where I went wrong I hope to make it again, but I sadly cannot eat them the way they came out for me.
Hey Jen,
So sorry you had issues with the caramel. Was there anything you may have adjusted? Anything with the baking? It’s hard for me to say what the issue was without seeing the end result. Let me know if you make them again! xTieghan
Glad i found this recipe AFTER the corrections corner! 🙂 I added chopped toasted pecans and doubled the recipe because they looked too good to only have a dozen! Mmmm! Delicious!!
Hey Andy,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
I made these with the vegan carmel from the snickers recipe, so so good. And so easy!
Hey Margaret,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Somewhat ok taste. Bars were to messy to cut. Oatmeal taste was pronounced as was the sweetness. One small piece has way to many calories and carbs if you’re into watching that kind of thing.
Hey Andy,
So sorry you did not enjoy the recipe, please let me know if I can help in anyway! xTieghan
Super simple and delicious
Thanks so much Josalyn! xTieghan
This is CRAZY GOOD! I can’t recommend them enough. Truly one of the most delicious things I’ve ever made plus it was super easy! Don’t waste anymore time and make this!
Hey Julia,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Have made these oatmeal gooey chocolate bars three times already. My grandkids live them. One version I cut down the chocolate and added organic coconut flakes. These were their favorite! Thanks for all your great recipes!
Hey Anna Maria,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
I absolutely loved these bars, so quick and easy yo make. Big hit at home with the husband. I actually didn’t think I would like them because I don’t like flapjack but these are nothing like flapjack and just absolutely yum! Thank you xxx
Hey Rebecca,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, it makes me so happy that it was enjoyed. Happy Friday! xTieghan
This was a big hit with my family! So delicious 🙂 It turned out a little crumbly though, and I was wondering if you have any tips to make it stick together better? Thanks <3
Hey Priscilla,
Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am delighted it was enjoyed!! Unfortunately, these are a crumbly bar:) xTieghan
Just making now, love all your recipes!! Quick question, the ingredients say 1 egg but in the instructions it says add eggs. Just wanted be sure it was just the 1 egg.
Thanks!!! Keep ’em coming!!
Hey Jen,
Sorry about that, it is just 1 egg. I hope you love the recipe, let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
these. are. unreal. that’s all. if you’re debating making these, DO IT. and then make them again.
Hey Larissa,
I am so thrilled this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xTieghan
Yummy! I used Trader Joe’s gf flour in the bars. I used coconut oil in the caramel and at first it wasn’t coming together as it boiled so I stirred in 1 or 2 tsp almond milk and it brought it together and turned into caramel. The bars were a little sweet for me so next time I’ll use less caramel. We ate them with a spoon while warm and cut into bars the next day. Warm was amazing and crumbly. TY I’ll try miyokos butter next we were out.
Hey Tammy,
I am so thrilled this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xTieghan
These are seriously so amazing! Best cookie I have ever had with a little adjusting. Doubled the cookie and made sure the Carmel was very thick.
Hey Sierra,
Thanks a bunch for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Don’t love caramel but absolutely loved these bars. Definitely making again!
Hey Amanda,
Thanks a bunch for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan