The dreaded Monday. Back to the grind of..whatever it is you have to do. Even though I love teaching with all my heart, I can see summer approaching, and I am excited for family time and the lazy days by the beach. Or by the lake, reading in a hammock. Do you think I can swap in a hammock for my desk in preparation?
One can only dream..
This is actually a short week for the school I’m teaching at. On Friday, the school is going on a field trip to Canada’s Wonderland… Where we get to ride this monster. Which is a little terrifying, since the only amusement park I have ever been to in my LIFE is a little known place called Playland in Vancouver, where the scariest ride closed because it probably fell apart.
If anyone has ever been and is wondering which one that was, it was the ride called “Wild Mouse”. I swear it was going to break every time I went on that thing.
So short week and scary rides? This deserves a baking session! But if you know me at all, I think every event ever deserves a baking session. But that is beside the point.
These caramel bars disappeared so soon, that I am thinking of making another batch next weekend. I just can’t get enough of the pecan, chocolate and caramel combo!! (See these cookies that I have made twice already).
But more than that heavenly combo, I could probably use these bars as currency with my boyfriend, and he wouldn’t find it weird at all. When he tried them, he said “these could probably sell in Starbucks for $5 a bar”, which, even though it sounds extremely unrealistic, is one of the best compliments I have got out of him about my baking.
Can you get too much of a good thing? I guess we will see next weekend..
Caramel Bars Ingredients
These Oatmeal Caramel Bars are made with a couple of simple ingredients. All you need is:
- caramel candies (homemade or store bought)
- evaporated milk
- all purpose flour
- rolled oats
- dark brown sugar
- baking soda
- kosher salt
- salted butter
- milk chocolate chips
- chopped pecans
Equipment
- 9×13 baking pan
- medium saucepan
- large mixing bowl
Tips
Storage: Store these caramel chocolate bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also store them in the fridge for up to 1 week.
What type of caramel works best? My homemade caramels work great in this recipe, but I have had success with kraft caramels. Those can be bought at most grocery stores.
Variations
Salted Caramel Bar: Make the recipe according to the recipe card, but sprinkle some coarse sea salt over top before baking.
White Chocolate Caramel Bar: Replace the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips!
Caramel Peanut Butter Bars: Replace the chocolate chips with peanut butter chips. Or any chips really, it is your personal preference!
More Caramel Recipe Ideas
Like these Caramel Bars? Then you will love these recipes:
- Caramel Sauce – This homemade caramel sauce recipe is perfect to top ice cream or pancakes.
- Salted Caramel Oatmeal – Want a healthy eating recipe idea with gooey caramel? This oatmeal is for you! It keeps you full until lunch, and tastes as good as dessert.
- Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Mug Cake – Fluffy cake with a chewy caramel filling. It’s a good way to make a dessert for one!
If you try this recipe, let me know! Rate it, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on social media! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Caramel Bars
Ingredients
- 32 caramels (homemade or store bought)
- 5 Tbsp evaporated milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup salted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment paper) a 9×13 baking pan and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the caramels and the evaporated milk, stirring until smooth.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, oats, sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix in the butter until fully incorporated. Press half of the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Set the rest aside.
- Place the baking pan in the preheated oven, and bake for 8 minutes. Remove and sprinkle with the chocolate chips and pecans. Pour the caramel mixture over top, then sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over that.
- Return to the oven, and bake for an additional 12 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Cut into squares.
Pin for Later
I'm marking these to try and take down to the college kid taking a class this summer as I know he would love these. Thanks.
Oh they must be amazing:)
My teacher daughter spent spring break with her son in Florida at Disney..you should see the rides they went on!!
Caramel anything sounds amazing!
I loooove caramel bars and yours looks awesome! Pinning!
These bars look scrumptious!
Aww I love how you need exactly 32 caramels – cute! 😀
They look fantastic though, and sure would be good to chill out with after having been out and about on them crazy rides! I myself have never been on a proper rollercoaster or ride of the sort, I'm too much of a sissy. I can imagine the adrenaline afterwards will be cool though!
But yeh, caramel and crumble goodness with pecans folded in – you….can't really lose, it sounds amazing! Thanks for the recipe 😀 I'm gonna have to have me a Taste of Madness week in the near future 😀 x
interesting ones,yummy!
i think..these bars is a good way to start a week 😀
Caramel bars, that sounds great! love all those layers 🙂
What a delicious way to start the week! These look amazing!
Hope you survived the weekend! These bars look yummy!
Hope you survived the weekend! These bars look yummy!
Oooh caramel and nuts sound delicious. I love and hate roller coasters, I hate it when it's climbing because I'd question myself why am I so silly to take it but after the ride, I couldn't wait to go for more rounds!
What a delightful combination! I'm IN! We used to take our daughters to Six Flags where my poor husband had to test every ride and decide if we would like it or get sick – LOL. They were all great fun! Hope you have a wonderful time.
I am not a ride person. I get dizzy just by staring at the merry go round! I would be happy on the sidelines munching one of these!
Mmm, caramel. Love it, love these — thanks!
I love how this looks! The caramel sounds delicious
I feel the same way about monday everytime weekend ends! But atleast you got these delicious bars to keep you happy!
Amishi || NaiveCookCooks.com
Hi Cathleen,
These caramel bars look irresistibly yummy! Wish that I'm lying on a hammock snacking on these bars too 😀
Zoe
Caramel Bars looks intriguing, I can finish at least 4 right now! YUMMY!:)
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
love caramel bars!!! and yours look yummy! Pinned!
Cathleen, these caramel bars look very delicious! I can easily finish few with tea, pass me some 🙂
These sound wonderful. You can't beat caramel and oats. Have a great weekend!
I'm always up for a good bar. And your Caramel bars looks and sound decadent and delicious. 🙂 What a great way to start my weekend baking. 😉 Thanks for sharing.
simply damn delicious snack bar…
Dedy@Dentist Chef
These bars looks and sound lovely, I want to taste them now after reading your post.
These bars looks and sound lovely, I want to taste them now after reading your post.
these look so good wish I had one now with my glass of milk
Yes! If you love caramel and chocolate, this easy bar recipe is a MUST! Delicious 🙂
It’s the best! Thanks Jacqueline 🙂
These are so delicious, I cannot get enough of them!
Yay! I am so glad you liked them Amy!
Such wonderful bars for the upcoming holidays! I love how easily they come together with only 10 minutes prep. Those flavors sound incredible.
Yay! So glad you liked them Tara 🙂
These caramel bars are seriously drool worthy! They aren’t going to last long in my house!
Doesn’t last long in my house either!! Thanks Andrea 🙂
Caramel is our absolute favourite, and these bars were amazing! Such great taste and texture, and we love how easy they are to make!
Me too!! I am obsessed with these 😉