Decadent Caramel Chocolate Oat Bars
Indulge in these Decadent Caramel Chocolate Oat Bars that come together effortlessly for an irresistible treat! Perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying at home, these bars feature a chewy oatmeal base topped with luscious layers of gooey caramel, rich chocolate, and crunchy walnuts. The combination of wholesome oats and chocolates, paired with a hint of cinnamon, creates a delightful flavor profile that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether as a snack or dessert, these bars are sure to impress family and friends alike!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
as needed (for coating the pan)
Crisco Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening
3/4 cup (softened)
Quick oats
1 1/2 cups (uncooked)
Brown sugar
3/4 cup (firmly packed)
Pillsbury BEST All Purpose Flour
1/2 cup (plus 3 tablespoons, divided)
Pillsbury BEST Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 cup
Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
Ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon
Milk chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups
Walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup
Smucker's Caramel Spoonable Ice Cream Topping
1 (12 1/2 ounce) jar
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray to prevent sticking.
2
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the Crisco Butter Flavor Shortening, quick oats, brown sugar, 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, and ground cinnamon using an electric mixer on low speed until the mixture is crumbly, resembling coarse crumbs.
3
Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture for topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan to form a crust.
4
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Once done, remove it from the oven and sprinkle the milk chocolate chips and chopped walnuts evenly over the hot crust.
5
In a separate bowl, mix the Smucker's Caramel Spoonable Ice Cream Topping with the reserved 3 tablespoons of flour until fully combined. Drizzle this caramel mixture generously over the chocolate chips and walnuts.
6
Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the top to create a finishing layer.
7
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until the bars are golden brown and set around the edges.
8
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven. While still warm, run a knife along the edges of the pan to loosen the bars. Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Caramel Chocolate Oat Bars?
They are an indulgent treat featuring a chewy oatmeal base topped with layers of gooey caramel, rich chocolate, and crunchy walnuts.
What is the recommended oven temperature for this recipe?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking pan should be used?
A 9 x 9-inch baking pan is required for these bars.
How do I prevent the bars from sticking to the pan?
Lightly coat the baking pan with Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray.
What type of shortening is used in the dough?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of softened Crisco Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening.
What kind of oats are needed for this recipe?
You should use 1 1/2 cups of uncooked quick oats.
Is brown sugar used in the oatmeal base?
Yes, 3/4 cup of firmly packed brown sugar is used in the mixture.
Does this recipe use multiple types of flour?
Yes, it uses a combination of Pillsbury BEST All Purpose Flour and Whole Wheat Flour.
How much baking soda is required?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
Is there any cinnamon in these bars?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon is added to the crumb mixture.
How do I achieve a crumbly texture for the base?
Beat the shortening, oats, sugar, flour, baking soda, and cinnamon together using an electric mixer on low speed.
How much of the crumb mixture should be set aside for the topping?
You should set aside 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture.
How long does the crust bake before adding toppings?
The crust should be baked in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
What kind of chocolate chips are used?
The recipe specifies 1 1/3 cups of milk chocolate chips.
Are there nuts in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts are sprinkled over the hot crust.
Which caramel topping is recommended?
One 12.5-ounce jar of Smucker's Caramel Spoonable Ice Cream Topping is used.
Why is flour mixed with the caramel?
Mixing 3 tablespoons of flour with the caramel helps stabilize the layer during baking.
How should the caramel be applied to the bars?
Drizzle the caramel and flour mixture generously over the layer of chocolate chips and walnuts.
What is the final layer applied before the second bake?
The reserved 1/2 cup of crumb mixture is sprinkled over the top.
What is the final baking time for the bars?
Bake the assembled bars for an additional 20 to 25 minutes.
How can I tell when the bars are finished baking?
The bars are done when they are golden brown and set around the edges.
Should I loosen the bars from the pan while they are hot?
Yes, run a knife along the edges of the pan to loosen the bars while they are still warm.
How should the bars be cooled after baking?
Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack.
When is the best time to cut the bars into squares?
Wait until the bars have cooled completely before cutting them into squares.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients total, including the cooking spray.
Can these bars be served at parties?
Yes, they are described as perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying at home.
What is the flavor profile of these bars?
They have a delightful flavor profile of wholesome oats, rich chocolate, gooey caramel, and crunchy walnuts.
Is the shortening used in the recipe softened?
Yes, the 3/4 cup of shortening should be softened before mixing.
What brand of flour is suggested in the ingredients?
Pillsbury BEST brand is suggested for both the all-purpose and whole wheat flour.
What are some common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include caramel, oatmeal, chocolate, dessert, and easy recipe.