Caramel Pecan Oatmeal Bars

Indulge in the irresistible combination of buttery oats, gooey caramel, and crunchy pecans with these Caramel Pecan Oatmeal Bars! Perfectly golden and layered with a rich caramel filling, this dessert features a crumbly oat base and topping that sandwich a molten caramel and pecan center. With just 20 minutes of prep time, these bars are surprisingly simple to make using pantry staples like brown sugar, old-fashioned oats, and vanilla, plus a package of caramel candies for that signature sweetness. Ideal for potlucks, holiday desserts, or an afternoon treat, these bars boast a balance of textures and flavors that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you're looking for a rich caramel dessert or a nutty oatmeal treat, these bars are a must-try crowd-pleaser.

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 package (about 11 ounces) caramel candies
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 cup pecans

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal later.

Step 2

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of unsalted butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 3

Mix in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Step 4

In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 cups of old-fashioned oats, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. The mixture will be crumbly.

Step 6

Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, reserving the rest for the topping. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.

Step 7

While the base is baking, unwrap the caramel candies and combine with 3 tablespoons of heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until smooth, then remove from heat.

Step 8

Sprinkle 1 cup of roughly chopped pecans over the baked oatmeal base. Pour the melted caramel mixture evenly over the pecans.

Step 9

Crumble the remaining oatmeal dough over the caramel layer, pressing slightly to adhere.

Step 10

Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 20-22 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. For faster cooling, you can refrigerate them for about an hour.

Step 12

Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into 16 squares and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(946.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4242.6

Total Fat 202.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 76.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 21.6g
Cholesterol 297.2mg	0%
Sodium 1755.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 574.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.1g	0%
Total Sugars 267.3g
Protein 56.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 374.5mg	0%
Iron 21.5mg	0%
Potassium 1600.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.9%

Protein: 5.2%

Carbs: 52.9%