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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.
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.
The flavors are terrific but these fell apart and needed more structure. I would make more oatmeal mixture next time and make another half batch of it to make sure you have a solid base and plenty to cover on the top. I am also going to try almond flour next time. I think it would work great in this recipe. Will make again with some tweaks!
Hey Lindsey,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
Can I use GF flour?
Hey Jillian,
Yes, an equal amount of gluten free flour should work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
If I didn’t want to add the caramel, what would you suggest for the baking time? Thanks – can’t wait to make them!!!
Hey Katie,
I would still bake for 15-20 minutes;) Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
These are delicious! I have made them twice to have with friends and everyone has loved them. The second time, I did reduce the caramel by half since the first time it seemed a little bit too sweet. I definitely plan to keep making these 🙂
Hey Jordan,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! Have a great weekend! 🏈
Enjoying these bars is like eating happiness!!! They are so so so delicious!!! Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!!!
Hey Gabriella,
Fantastic!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xx
Do you need to refrigerate after they cook?
Hey Clinton,
You can keep these in an airtight container in the fridge or on the counter:) I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Hi Tieghan,
Can you use quick oats instead of old fashioned?
🙂
-danielle
Hi Danielle,
Sorry, for this recipe you will want to use old fashioned oats:) Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xx
I love these because 1) they’re delicious 2) they’re made with ingredients that I always have on hand 3) they don’t require any forethought or prep or ahead of time (i.e. softened butter) so I can make them on a whim. I like to add a layer of chopped walnuts after the caramel for an added crunch/texture. Everyone loves and this is a recipe I know I’ll continue making over and over again! Thanks, Teighan!
Hey Melanie,
Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
So delicious!! And being Canadian, I love the addition of maple syrup. Thanks for another winner Tieghan!
Hey Lyne,
Happy Monday!! I really appreciate you trying this recipe out, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great week:)
These are fantastic! Big hit with my family. For those who think it’s too sweet, cutting the caramel sauce in half will fix that. I’ve made it with the caramel halved and the full amount. No one complained either way! Thanks for a great recipe. ?
Hey Jan,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it and sharing your feedback!! 🙂
I have an intense sweet tooth, but these are over the top. They are so rich, I can barely get through a piece. I may play with the recipe. If I had to compare sweetness I would say these would out do the cheesecake factory. I think only making half of the Carmel sauce would have been better. These taste fantastic, but if you are 30 and over grab some tums lol
Hi Tricia,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback, yes these are definitely an indulgent treat:) xTieghan
Made these on a whim because I had a sweet tooth problem. Ingredients are simple yet the combination is divine! Can’t wait for my husband to come home and try one (assuming my kids and I haven’t eaten them all ?).
I weighed out the flour instead of measuring, which may be why my dough wasn’t crumbly. But it still turned out!
Hi Katie,
Happy Monday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xxT
I love this recipe, making it for the 100th time because the weather is dreary and I need a warm pick me up!
My only issue I’ve faced is the caramel middle. It never “solidifies” and creates its own section in the middle? It simply melts out into the rest of the oatmeal bar. Not complaining as it still tastes amazing and like caramel, but i would love it if it had its own middle section between the oatmeal bars as it is pictured in the recipe. Any tips ?
Hey Sydney,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! I would let the caramel cook just a bit longer next time. xTieghan
what can i use to remplace the egg ? I don’t have anymore at home 🙁
Hey Emilie,
So sorry, I have not tried this recipe without the egg, it’s a binder for the cookies so I would recommend using one:) I’ve hear applesauce works sometimes, but I haven’t tested that! xTieghan
Hi Emily!! I make regular cookies vegan for my friends by replacing an egg with 1/4 cup of non dairy milk, oat milk be perfect for this! No promises that it would work for this as well as my regular cookies but it’s worth a shot 🙂
I’ve made these probably a dozen times. So simple and delicious! I think the recipe is perfect as is!!
Hi Calynn,
Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it and sharing your feedback! ??xTieghan