Lower Sugar Oatmeal Caramelita Bars

Indulge in guilt-free decadence with these Lower Sugar Oatmeal Caramelita Bars—a delightful treat that combines chewy oat layers, rich dark chocolate, and gooey caramel, all with less sugar! Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack, this recipe uses a brown sugar substitute and a lower sugar caramel sauce, making it a better-for-you option without sacrificing flavor. The buttery oat base and crumbly topping sandwich a luscious layer of caramel, chocolate chips, and optional pecans for a nutty crunch. Ready in under 40 minutes and easy to prepare, these bars are ideal for satisfying your sweet tooth while staying mindful of your sugar intake. Serve them as-is or alongside a scoop of vanilla yogurt for an extra-special touch!

Nutriscore Rating: 49/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 0.75 cup Unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup Brown sugar substitute (e.g., erythritol brown sugar blend)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup Old-fashioned rolled oats
• 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Lower sugar caramel sauce
• 0.5 cup Dark chocolate chips
• 0.25 cup Chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, remove it from the heat and whisk in the brown sugar substitute and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until a crumbly dough forms.

Step 4

Press half of the dough firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even base. Reserve the remaining dough for the topping.

Step 5

Bake the base layer in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove it and let it cool slightly while preparing the filling.

Step 6

Spread the lower sugar caramel sauce evenly over the partially baked base. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and chopped pecans (if using) on top of the caramel layer.

Step 7

Crumble the reserved dough evenly over the top of the caramel and chocolate layer to form the topping.

Step 8

Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15-18 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and set.

Step 9

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. For easier slicing, you can transfer the pan to the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.

Step 10

Once cooled, slice into 12 even bars and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(656.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2317.4

Total Fat 141.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 68.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 205.7mg	0%
Sodium 1430.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 378.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.3g	0%
Total Sugars 90.7g
Protein 31.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 204.3mg	0%
Iron 16.5mg	0%
Potassium 1215.4mg	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: 43.8%

Protein: 4.3%

Carbs: 51.9%