Next Post
Roasted Turmeric Chicken Pitas with Garlic Lemon Tahini.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
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 bars may be my all-time favorite of all the “goody” recipes I’ve tried! Wow!
Hey Joanne,
I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
I love these, but my caramel turned hard and tastes like toffee, lol which is not bad but not gooey. I am not sure what I did wrong. Next time I might just have to cheat and buy some yummy TJ caramel because yeah I am not a baker. LOL
Hey Desiree,
So sorry about the caramel, it sounds like it was boiled for too long, next time just boil it for less time. I hope this helps! xTieghan
These are to die for!! SO easy to make and everyone loves them. I added flake salt on both of the oat layers and it really brought out a nice sweet/salty flavor. This is definitely one of my new go-to’s!
Hey Erica,
Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
I loved to make these but I don’t have an 8×8 pan. Any alternative suggestions??
Thank you!
Hey Sami,
You could use a 9 inch pan or double the recipe and do a 9×13 pan. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These Gooey Chocolate Oatmeal bars rock! I don’t even like oatmeal but these bars taste delicious. They are also easy to make and do not require any ingredients that are difficult to find. I made them for my husband because he loves oatmeal cookies. We will see how many bars are left by the time he gets home from work.
Hey Christine,
Thanks for making this recipe! I am so glad it was a hit! xTieghan
Made this afternoon and only a 1/4 of the pan left! SO easy, I love caramel and melted wrapped caramels – I didn’t measure and poured a little extra which carmelized on the sides of the bars making them extra gooey and delish! Love all your desserts!
Hey Thy Le,
I am absolutely delighted that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for making it! Have the best week☀️ xTieghan
Looks amazing! Can you substitute the egg with anything?
Thanks Rachael! Sorry I have not tested this recipe without the egg, but a chia or flax egg might work! I hope you love the recipe, let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Hi! Looking forward to making this recipe later today. Curious about the type of coconut oil you recommend, refined or unrefined? Also will the bars turn out just as good using butter instead of the coconut oil? Finally you say to add in a pinch of salt to the caramel sauce.. Is this table salt or kosher salt? And you say to serve the finished cooled bars with a pinch of sea salt. Is that flaky sea salt or regular sea salt. So many salt types out there these days!! Thank you!
Hey Sarah,
I use unrefined coconut oil. Yes, the bars are great with either butter or coconut oil. I like to use kosher salt. I use Maldons flaky sea salt. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Omg. I had to give them away so I wouldn’t eat them all!!
FABULOUS
Hey Marsha,
Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed. Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Hi love everything you do! Checking conversions..
Can I check what 1 stick of butter converts to in grams?
Thanks so much
Vanessa
Hey Vanessa,
One stick of butter is equal to 113 grams. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
YUM! I made these last night with a friend and LOVED them! The maple caramel layer was so easy to make, which was a relief because the caramel sauces I’ve made in the past have taken 25+ minutes to thicken properly on the stove. I’ll definitely be making this recipe again, but I think I’ll sprinkle some sea salt on top next time just because 🙂
Hey Claire,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Hello,
I made these for my daughter and they were delicious. Only problem was the caramel became quite sugary not creamy in the bars. Do you think I cooked the caramel too long or not long enough?Thank you.
Hey Jill,
Thanks for trying the recipe, sorry to hear about the caramel. It is hard to say without seeing the caramel. Was it thick or thin? Did you adjust anything in the recipe? Let me know! xTieghan
For some reason mine did not turn out as a crumble I used 1/2 a cup of melted butter but the batter was super wet.
Hey Kaila,
Was there anything you may have adjusted in the recipe? Did they taste okay? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
These are amazing! We preferred them after they had cooled and set up, versus warm and gooey from the oven.
Hey Rachel,
I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks so much for giving it a try. Have a great week! xTieghan
Horrid
Hey Ron,
Was there something I can help with? Did you try the recipe and not enjoy it? Would love to help ya out! Have the best week! xTieghan