Caramel Oatmeal Bars

A delightful and chewy bar featuring a buttery oatmeal base layered with rich homemade caramel—a perfect treat for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These bars marry the wholesome texture of oats with the sweet, smooth appeal of caramel. With simple pantry ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, they’re a crowd-pleaser at bake sales, potlucks, or afternoon snacks.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• rolled oats
• all-purpose flour
• light brown sugar
• granulated sugar
• unsalted butter
• baking powder
• fine salt
• sweetened condensed milk
• light corn syrup or golden syrup
• pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare your baking pan.
2. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt.
3. Melt butter, then mix into the dry ingredients until crumbly.
4. Press two-thirds of the oat mixture into the pan to form the bottom crust.
5. In a saucepan, heat sweetened condensed milk with corn syrup and vanilla until caramel develops and thickens.
6. Pour the caramel over the baked crust; sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top.
7. Bake until the top is golden. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Servings and timing

• Servings: Makes approximately 16 bars (2-inch squares).
• Timing: Prep takes about 15 minutes, baking takes 25–30 minutes, plus 1 hour cooling time.

Variations

• Nutty twist: Stir in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the oat crumble or sprinkle on top.
• Chocolate-drizzled: Once bars have cooled, drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate over the top.
• Coconut caramel: Add shredded coconut to the caramel layer for extra flavor and texture.

Storage/reheating

• Storage: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
• Reheating: Warm individual bars in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to revive their gooey caramel texture.

FAQs

What type of oats work best for these bars?

Rolled oats are ideal—they provide the right texture and hold up well during baking. Quick oats can be used, but the bars may be slightly softer.

Can I make the caramel filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the caramel and refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Gently reheat it before assembling.

Is there an egg in this recipe?

No eggs are needed—the caramel and oat mixture create a deliciously chewy texture on their own.

How do I ensure clean slices?

Chill the bars fully before slicing, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts to maintain neat edges.

Can I use dairy-free substitutes?

Yes—both butter and sweetened condensed milk can be replaced with dairy-free versions, though texture and flavor may vary slightly.

Can I freeze these bars?

Absolutely. Freeze cooled bars in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.

What is the best size pan to use?

An 8×8-inch square baking pan is standard, yielding moderately thick bars. For thinner bars, use a 9×9-inch pan.

Can I make smaller or larger batches?

Yes—just scale the ingredient amounts proportionally and adjust baking time by a few minutes as needed.

How do I prevent the bottom from burning?

Line the pan with parchment paper that overhangs the edges or grease it well. Baking on the center rack also helps.

Are these bars chewy or crisp?

They are pleasantly chewy, with a slight crispness to the oat crumble—perfectly balanced.

Conclusion

These Caramel Oatmeal Bars offer comforting nostalgia with a homemade twist—chewy oats, buttery crumble, and decadent caramel all come together in a treat that’s easy to make and hard to resist. Perfect for gifting, snacking, or any time you need a sweet pick-me-up.

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