These Espresso Carmelitas are rich, decadently delicious bars with gooey espresso caramel that’s irresistible!
Today, it’s a double whammy at the BHK friends! I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite cookie bar recipes for carmelitas. But I’m not talking just regular carmelitas today. Oh no! I’m talking Espresso Carmelitas.
I’ve been thinking of sharing carmelitas for quite a while, but I’ve also been wanting to share my homemade, smooth and buttery espresso caramel that will no doubt knock your socks off! Guaranteed! So the question was, which one should I share first?? Carmelitas? Espresso caramel? I couldn’t decide, so instead, today it’s Espresso Carmelitas for the win! A win-win to be exact!
If you’ve never tried carmelitas, oh boy are you going to love these! They’ve got an oatmeal brown sugar crust that’s topped with chocolate chips, pecans and some decadently delicious, gooey caramel with a hint of espresso. To finish them off, a little sprinkle of more oatmeal brown sugar crumbs on top and BAM! Does it get any better? That would be a “no” in my book!
The only problem you’re going to have making these bars is keeping yourself from eating the caramel by the spoonful before getting to the step where you have to put it on the bars. Take it from me, it’s gonna be tough. This caramel is so easy to make and honestly, it’s the smoothest, tastiest caramel ever! I always make sure I have a little stash in the refrigerator for ice cream. Just heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds and you’ll be in heaven. Perfect for gift giving too!
Enjoy!
Ingredients
- Espresso Caramel makes 1 1/3 cups:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp. water
- 2 tsp. espresso powder
- 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter softened
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Carmelitas:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup pecans roughly chopped
- 1 1/3 cups espresso caramel
Instructions
- Espresso Caramel:
- Bring the heavy cream to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Place the sugar and water in a large heavy bottomed saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, without stirring, for 8 minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium low and slowly add the hot cream, stirring constantly to get rid of any lumps. (The mixture will bubble, so be careful while stirring.)
- Add the espresso powder and continue to stir until well blended.
- Remove from the heat and add the butter until completely melted, then add the vanilla.
- Transfer to a bowl and let cool until ready to use for the carmelitas.
- Carmelitas:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 pan with non-stick cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper with an overhang on two sides. Spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Stir together with a fork. Pat half of the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips and pecans and then with the espresso caramel.
- Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the caramel.
- Return to the oven and continue to bake for 18-20 minutes, just until edges are lightly browned.
- Remove from oven. Cool in pan on wire rack completely (at least 4 hours) before removing and cutting into bars.
Well this is one heck of a way to wake up! These delicious beauties were my first email and my eyes definitely got a bit wider- they look amazing, Mary Ann! Anything with caramel is a win in my book and these Espresso Carmelitas look so soft and super scrumptious! Plus the oatmeal brown sugar crumbs on top have me swooning! Since these have espresso I can consider them breakfast food right? Because I’m craving! Pinned! Cheers!
Yay! The caramel is amzing Cheyanne! I could eat it right out of the jar, and in these carmelitas it’s just decadent!
Daaaammmnn! That looks SO delicious! I love it, and I’m extremely happy you’ve decided to share both of them. I’ve never tried carmelitas but every ingredient in there is good so it has to be delicious. Can’t wait to try this one! I’ll definitely pin it for later!
You NEED to try Vivian! They’re wonderful! And that espresso caramel!! YUM!
Curse you Mary Ann! My boring old oatmeal for breakfast can’t hold a candle to this deliciousness on my screen! Love, love this caramel and chocolaty goodness. Wish I could have one right now with my coffee!
Ha! I head to Florida tomorrow and need to get in a bathing suit! Yikes!
I have never had carmelitas, but I know without a doubt that they are definitely up my alley :) Love anything that combines caramel, chocolate and coffee, for sure! Perfect.
Definitely give them a try Jennifer! You’ll love them! And they’re so easy and so is the espresso caramel!
Glad you didn’t hold back. Woo hoo – these look and sound amazing! I love making little flavor tweaks to caramel sauce, so how have I NOT made an espresso caramel sauce before. GAH! I need to fix that ASAP!
Thanks so much Liz! The caramel sauce kills me it’s sooo good!
These sounds incredible! Love the espresso caramel twist. It sounds heavenly!!
Thanks Jen! They really are wonderful bars!
Wow these look great! I dont think Ive had a carmelita before but theyre on the top of my to-do list for when I get home!!
Thanks Case! You’ll love them!! I’ll show you how to make them, so you can make them back at school for all your friends!!
Espresso in caramel? Well that is a just a genius way to have that for breakfast!! I need these bars in my life for sure.
Ha! I like the way you think Zainab!
I haven’t had carmelitas in forever, but it is defiantly my favorite cookie bar! Love the addition of espresso. Pinned.
Thanks Nicole! You’ll love them!
Oh my goodness, this is the most delicious looking bar ever – and I love the espresso caramel combo! Pinning – thanks, Mary Ann!
So glad you like them Geraldine! The espresso caramel is to die for! I’m going to be making some as gifts this summer for friends!
Oh wow… who knew you could improve on one of my favorite bars of all time?!… these look amazing!!
Thanks Mary Beth! Welcome home!
WOW – these look beyond delicious! I’ve never had carmelitas before, but I am loving the sound of all these flavors together.
Thanks so much Mara! They’re really delicious! That espresso caramel! You need to give it a try!
First of all, drooling over your photos as always! Secondly, espresso + carmelitas? Literally my heaven.
Yay! Coming from you that’s a huge compliment Jennifer! Thanks so much. You’ll love these bars Jennifer. I want to put that sauce on everything!
Can you believe I didn’t know what a carmelita was until I read this delicious post? I clearly have some catching up to do…and a great recipe to start with!!
You will really love these Kate! So simple and so delicious!
OMG! These look so good! I have never tried a carmelita before, but anything with caramel in it I LOVE! You made this look too delicious….will be trying over the weekend. :)
Great Amanda! The espresso caramel is wonderful on ice cream too!
Hahahha this is totally a double whammy!! That espresso caramel sounds absolutely delicious. I’m so happy you decided to share it with the world! I have also never heard of carmelitas but seeing that caramel on top made me fall in love with them already! I’m sure they are soooo chewy!
It is Linda! Hope you enjoy! Happy weekend!
Espresso caramel sauce is the best. These bars are gorgeous!
Thanks so much Laura! I love it on anything!
Oh my gosh ESPRESSO CARAMEL + CHOCOLATE?!! Sounds like my idea of absolute heaven! Going straight on the list to make asap. And amazing photos too – those gooey chocolate chunks <3 <3
Thanks so much Claudia! I’ll swap you some of these carmelitas for that yummy pineapple coconut cake!! Deal??
Oh My! These look totally amazing! I just love all the little crispy edges. I’ve been known to trim those off for presentation purposes….and then save all those trimmed pieces just for me! :)
Oh, I did some trimming of my own Kathy!! YUM!
You had me at Espresso…happy feasting!
You are going to LOVE this espresso caramel! It’s so smooth and delicious. Perfect in these bars or over ice cream! Even right out of the jar with a spoon!
This is a must try recipe!
Yay Nicole! Thanks so much for commenting! You are going to love these!
Mary Ann, these bars look so delicious! I can’t wait not only to try them, but to also try making your caramel sauce to eat drizzled over ice cream. It sounds so incredibly divine!! :)
Thanks so much Lisa! You’re going to love these bars! And that espresso caramel sauce! I tweaked the recipe a few times until it was so smooth with just the perfect amount of espresso flavoring! Enjoy!
I like caramel and mixing it with expresso is genius.
Thanks Gerlinde! It’s pretty awesome over ice cream too!
Oh my goodness! These look so good! I’m sure I could eat the entire pan myself! Caramel plus espresso?! How awesome is that?! I love both so to combine…gimme!! Pinning! :)
Thanks Dawn!! Yes, the espresso caramel is delicious! Hard to share!! I could just spoon it over anything!
Ohhhh my! I have never heard of carmelitas before, and now I (and my waistline) are wishing I never had! I must make these now!! Gorgeous.
Thanks Jackie! You’re going to love them, but your waistline won’t! Sorry! A healthy salmon dish coming to the blog tomorrow though!! Balance right?!
I made carmelitas over a year ago and you just reminded me that’s way too long and I need to make them again. These were supper delicious!! I think it’s super easy and a great dessert to share with all!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes! They are the perfect dessert to share! I love giving the espresso caramel as gifts!
I’d have a terrible time sharing these, Mary Ann!! Such a texture rich bar. I’m so glad you combined espresso and caramel – FTW – YES! These need to happen in my kitchen STAT!
I think you’ll really enjoy them Traci! That espresso caramel is addicting! Boo for bathing suit season!
Have made these twice – now a new family favorite. I found the expresso powder dissolves better in the cream while it heats than adding it later to the caramel mixture. Also had to bake it significantly longer but that depends on the oven. Delicious recipe, each bite is a little different! Thanks
So glad they’ve become a family favorite Pat! Great idea to add the espresso powder to the cream. I’ll try that next time. Thanks for sharing the tip!
These were absolutely wonderful. Followed the directions to the T and they came out perfectly. My husband was very impressed.
AWESOME Deb! Glad you impressed your husband!
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
You’re welcome!!