Carmelitas are a heavenly dessert that combines rich chocolate, gooey caramel, and a buttery cookie crust into one delightful package. When you take that first bite, the soft, warm layers melt in your mouth, offering a perfect harmony of textures. The ooey-gooey caramel intertwines beautifully with chunks of melted chocolate, making it impossible not to fall in love with these treats. They are absolutely ideal for sharing, but let’s be honest, you might not want to—these squares are that good!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Carmelitas
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Carmelitas

The beauty of Carmelitas lies in their simplicity and the way they cater to a range of occasions. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, packing treats for a bake sale, or simply craving a sweet indulgence at home, these bars are sure to impress. Plus, the preparation is a breeze, making it easy to whip up a batch anytime the craving strikes. So grab your ingredients, and let’s get to baking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With straightforward steps, you can have Carmelitas ready in about 40 minutes.
Irresistible Flavor: The mix of buttery cookie, melting chocolate, and sweet caramel creates an unforgettable taste.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The layered look of these bars makes them as impressive as they are tasty.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for dessert, snacks, or even breakfast on the go!
Easy Storage: These bars keep well, making them great for meal prepping or treats later in the week.

Ingredients You’ll Need

30 ounces chocolate chip cookie dough: You can use store-bought refrigerated dough or make your own. Using quality dough ensures a rich flavor and texture.
11 ounces caramels: Unwrap and ready to melt; they add that essential gooey element. If you want an alternative, you can use caramel sauce, but the consistency will be slightly different.
¼ cup evaporated milk: This adds creaminess to your caramel, making it rich and smooth. If you don’t have evaporated milk, you can use heavy cream as a substitute.
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: These chocolate chips will melt beautifully and pair perfectly with the caramel. You can also use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips, depending on your preference.

How to Make Carmelitas

Prep the Oven and Cookie Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Cut a little more than half of the chocolate chip cookie dough into 1/4″ rounds and lay them in a single layer on a parchment-lined 9-inch square baking pan. This forms the base of your Carmelitas.
Press the Dough: Use your fingers to press the cookie dough into a single, solid, even layer. It may take a minute, but this step ensures a delightful base for caramel and chocolate.
Bake the Base: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it’s just golden brown. Once baked, pull it out and let cool slightly while you prepare the caramel.
Melt the Caramels: In a microwave-safe container, combine the unwrapped caramels with ¼ cup of evaporated milk. Heat it on high for 1 minute. Stir, then continue to heat in 30-second intervals until the mixture is fully melted and smooth.
Layer the Chocolate Chips: Take the cooled cookie crust and sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top. This creates a delicious layer of chocolate goodness.
Drizzle with Caramel: Pour the melted caramel mixture generously on top of the chocolate chips, letting it seep into the nooks and crannies.
Crumble the Remaining Dough: Crumble the remaining cookie dough over the top of the caramel. It doesn’t have to be even or perfect; the rustic look adds charm!
Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 12-15 minutes, or until the top is just beginning to turn golden brown.
Cool and Chill: Allow the caramelitas to cool to room temperature. Once they’ve cooled, refrigerate them for at least 2 hours to set properly.
Serve: Before cutting, let them sit out for 15 minutes. Then cut into squares and enjoy!

Storing & Reheating

To store your Carmelitas, keep them covered at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer shelf life, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months; wrap each square securely to avoid freezer burn. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, thaw at room temperature or reheat briefly in the microwave. Just remember that while the flavor remains delightful, the texture might soften slightly.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid overbaking the cookie layer; it should just be golden brown to maintain a soft texture.
For a richer caramel flavor, you can add a dash of sea salt to the melted caramel.
If your dough crumbles too much, warm it slightly with your hands for easier crumbling over the caramel.
Make sure the cookie dough is cold for better control when layering.
Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate or add nuts for extra crunch!

Carmelitas are not just a treat; they’re an experience that will bring you back for more. This recipe is straightforward and sure to win over anyone who tries it. The warmth of these bars and the melted chocolate and caramel will make every moment spent baking worthwhile. Enjoy playing with this recipe; feel free to tweak it to match your flavor preferences or to impress friends and family!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use homemade cookie dough for Carmelitas?

Absolutely! Homemade cookie dough can enhance the flavor of your Carmelitas. Just make sure it’s well-chilled for easier handling.

How do I prevent the caramels from hardening?

After baking, let the Carmelitas cool and refrigerate them. If your caramel feels too hard after refrigeration, pop it in the microwave for just a few seconds to soften before serving.

Can the recipe be doubled?

Yes, you can easily double the ingredients and bake them in a larger pan. Just remember to adjust the baking time slightly to ensure even cooking.

Can I use different types of chocolate?

Of course! Semi-sweet chocolate chips are traditional, but feel free to switch things up with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate for a unique twist.

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Carmelitas

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Author: Anna
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 16 servings 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

Carmelitas offer an irresistible blend of chocolate and caramel, all wrapped in a cookie crust. Perfect for dessert lovers seeking an easy, homemade treat!

Ingredients

Scale

30 ounces chocolate chip cookie dough refrigerated, store-bought dough, or homemade
11 ounces caramels
¼ cup evaporated milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Slice a little more than half of the cookie dough into 1/4" rounds and arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined 9-inch square baking pan.
Press the dough into a solid, even layer.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown; remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
In a microwave-safe container, combine unwrapped caramels and evaporated milk; heat on high for 1 minute.
Stir the mixture and continue heating in 30-second intervals until fully melted.
Sprinkle chocolate chips over the cooled cookie crust and drizzle melted caramel on top.
Crumble the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer, it's okay if it’s not even.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 12 to 15 minutes until just golden brown.
Allow cooling to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Let sit for 15 minutes before cutting into squares.

Notes

For a richer taste, try adding nuts to the chocolate chip layer.
Ensure the caramels are well melted for a smooth drizzle on top.
Refrigerating the Carmelitas helps them set better and makes cutting easier.