Yakima Man Makes ‘Carameletas’… & A Mess!

Back by popular demand, another story of a man (me), who has no ‘Chef Smarts’ and his creations in the kitchen (with the help of his awesome wife). What is being cooked this time? Something my wife calls “Carameletas”.

Past Cooking Attempts

I’m a pro at frozen pizzas and French Toast, but that is about it. Sure, I can brown some meat and make a mean taco, but when it comes to actual baking, I’m a novice, and my wife is a pro (in my eyes). For whatever her ulterior motives are, she’s teaching me how to make tasty treats, like Dulce de Leche Cupcakes, Lemon bars, and my No Bake (& no house fires) Cookies. Now I get to add Carameletas to my "Yakima Man/Timmy Tries" list.

Let’s Make Carameletas

NOTE: You can melt the butter (and, when the time comes, the caramel... pronounced however you want) in the microwave. I've chosen to do it on the stovetop, which makes me feel more manly while I’m in the kitchen. You also don't need a mixer, but I used my wife’s pink mixer anyway (because the stove made me feel TOO manly).

Now, let’s get cooking!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or as my Canadian friends call it, “Freedom Units”), and I also definitely recommend lining your 8x8 pan with foil or parchment paper. The hardened caramel is sticky, trust me... and my dog, Rusty.

Melt 3/4 cup of butter (that's a stick and a half, FYI). Then stir in 3/4 cup of light brown sugar, packed, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla. Whisk until smooth.

NOTE: The wife had to inform me that you can just press it into the measuring cup tightly; there’s no need for a suitcase.

In a bowl (or your mixer), add 1 cup flour, 1 cup oats, and 1 tsp baking soda and give it a little stir. Add in the melted butter mixture and stir until combined.

Add half the mixture to the bottom of your lined pan and press down to make an even, flat layer.

Bake for 10 minutes.

While it bakes, you can make the caramel (and, do yourself a favor and wash any dirty dishes, your wife will thank you. Seriously... DO THE DISHES!)

Melt caramels and 1/2 cup heavy cream, stir until smooth. Obviously, it's easiest to use the whole bag of caramel bits (11oz bag), but if you can't find those, unwrap approximately 35 caramel squares to melt.

It can take a long time and you'll feel like you're doing it wrong... but keep going!

Remove the pan from the oven, and sprinkle 1 cup of chocolate chips evenly over the top. Then pour caramel sauce over the chocolate. (Eat leftover caramel with a spoon. Be careful, it's lava-hot! Don’t ask me how I know... or my dog Rusty.)

Evenly crumble the remaining oat/flour/butter mixture over the top.

Bake again for 15-18 minutes. (I went with 16 and it was perfect.)

Remove and let cool. You can cool on the countertop or in the fridge. Once they're cooled, the caramel will harden.

Cut into 16 pieces to share with all your Yakima friends, or get a spatula and one piece that sucker like a manly man.

NOTE: Eating the whole thing by yourself with a spatula will make a huge mess.

What food should I try next? Tap the App and let me know!

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