Calling all caramel lovers! This recipe for peanut butter carmelitas requires no mixer and is sure to make you fall in love. A peanut butter oat cookie is filled with a layer of caramel and chocolate! Step-by-step photos teach you how to bake these delicious peanut butter carmelitas.

Caramel is my thing. Most people do the peanut butter thing. PB is good and all but in my world it ain't got a thing on caramel. So why not make everyone happy and combine the two? Success! These peanut butter carmelitas are filled with lots of delicious flavors. You only need a small bite or two since they have gorgeous thick layers. We often make carmelitas for birthdays, bake sales, and any type of party. They are loved by all!
If you don't want the peanut butter then check out my plain carmelitas recipe. In that recipe I make my own caramel- you could do that here too or use store-bought chewy caramels to make the caramel layer.
Let's get to the recipe!
Ingredients
For these bars you'll need:
- Heavy Whipping Cream. You'll use the cream with the caramels to make it looser caramel type sauce.
- Unwrapped Chewy Caramels. Just use a store-bought bag of caramels!
- Brown Sugar. The brown sugar is used in the oat base and topping.
- Butter. No need to wait for softened butter here, you just need melted butter.
- Creamy Peanut Butter. You'll only need ¼ cup of peanut butter but trust me it packs a a delicious peanut butter flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour. Make sure to measure your flour properly. I always like to weigh my ingredients for the most accurate bakes!
- Rolled Oats. The oats give a great texture to the bars.
- Baking Soda. Just a bit helps the cookie part rise just a bit.
- Chocolate Chips. I prefer to use semi-sweet or dark chocolate because of the sweet caramel. But milk chocolate works great too!
Another peanut butter treat I love is this chocolate peanut butter pie.
For ingredient quantities please reference the recipe card below. On the recipe card there is a button for US or M (Metric) measurements.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F/180C and line an 8" X 8" pan with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
In a saucepan over low-medium heat melt the caramels and heavy cream. Watch carefully as they can burn easily. Once melted set aside.
In a medium bowl mix brown sugar, melted butter, and peanut butter.
Add flour, oats, and baking soda and mix until just combined.
Press half of the mixture into the pan and bake for 10 minutes.
Take the pan out of the oven after 10 minutes and sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the dough.
Then pour the melted caramel on top.
Sprinkle the rest of the dough on top and bake for another 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.
Store leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
More caramel recipes
This salted caramel chocolate cake is a family favorite.
This caramel apple cheesecake is a show-stopper. Who doesn't love apples and caramel?
My friend Hayley makes the most amazing Caramel Butter Bars!
★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!
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PrintRecipe Card
Peanut Butter Carmelitas
Calling all caramel lovers! This recipe for peanut butter carmelitas requires no mixer and is sure to make you fall in love. A peanut butter oat cookie is filled with a layer of caramel and chocolate! Step-by-step photos teach you how to bake these delicious peanut butter carmelitas.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 Bars 1x
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 30 Unwrapped Chewy Caramels
- ¾ cup Brown Sugar
- ¾ cup Butter, melted
- ¼ cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 ½ cup Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C and line an 8" X 8" pan with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a saucepan over low-medium heat melt the caramels and heavy cream. Watch carefully as they can burn easily. Once melted set aside.
- In a medium bowl mix brown sugar, melted butter, and peanut butter. Add flour, oats, and baking soda and mix until just combined.
- Press half of the mixture into the pan and bake for 10 minutes.
- Take the pan out of the oven after 10 minutes and sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the dough. Then pour the melted caramel on top. Sprinkle the rest of the dough on top and bake for another 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing into bars. Store leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
Equipment
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: oat and caramel dessert, chocolate oat bar recipe
This post was orginally published on Jult 14, 2014 as of January 6, 2022 the post has been updated.
Laura says
I'm totally with you on the chocolate caramel thing. Alongside chocolate and orange it is my favourite chocolate flavour combination =)
Johlene says
These peanut butter caramelitas won´t be good for me cause I´ll goble them up in a few minutes.. love love love the ingredients! xoxo
Ashley says
Oh my gosh Rolos!! I haven't had those in years!! haha And now I want one... And these. Holy moly do they look good.
Jamie says
I agree that caramel is so much better than peanut butter. Doesn't even come close! If i can incorporate caramel into my food, I try! This recipe looks great!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
oooooh yes-a great decision!!! Pb & Caramel together is just like a match made of pure deliciousness!!
Miss Messy says
Oh wow oh wow just look at that caramel! These look fantastic! 🙂
Elisha Elliott says
Where do you add the Rolos?
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Elisha, that is a mistake on my end there are no Rolos in the recipe. I do have a Rolo Carmelitas recipe here - https://confessionsofabakingqueen.com/rolostuffedcarmelitas/ please let me know if I can answer any other questions or if you make them!! XX Liz
Carol says
The peanut butter with the caramel on these.... WOW, need to make once a month! SOOOO good!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
You are so right the pb and caramel are such a great combo! Thank you for the lovely review Carol! XX Liz