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Pumpkin Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

By Courtney 44 Comments

About a month ago, I was over at our friends Brian & Mal’s apartment for a Sunday afternoon of football, beer, Mal’s Chili, and friends.

On this particular Sunday, Mal didn’t just make her chili; she also made a batch of Oatmeal Carmelita bars that totally knocked my socks off. Literally, they were just amazing, and I was totally psyched when she already had a copy of the recipe ready for me because she knew I would ask.

She knows me too well.

So for the past few weeks, I’ve been meaning to make those bars, but wanted to try putting my own spin on them. Being the fall season and all, I thought it might be fun to work with the recipe a bit to include one of my favorite ingredients…pumpkin.

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To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure how the recipe would turn out by adding the pumpkin. But with a couple quick adjustments to the other ingredients, things worked out like a dream.

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The dough with the pumpkin bars is slightly more sticky than the original, resulting in a less crumbly topping and a softer crust. You can see the difference here…

Original                                                                         Pumpkin

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The pumpkin flavor actually is not all that dominant, so you might be able to try adding some more pumpkin pie spice to the recipe if you’re looking for more of a pumpkin flavor. Either way, it works for me.

IMG_9536

After taking one bite of these, I knew that there was NO way I would be able to keep them in the house without devouring them, so I packed them up this morning and brought them with me to work. You know what they say, sharing is caring. :)

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[print_this]

Pumpkin Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Adapted from the Oatmeal Carmelitas recipe from Pillsbury)

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Start to Finish: About 3 hours (including cooling time)

Ingredients:

Crust

  • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 cup butter, softened,
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

Filling

  • 1 jar (12.25 oz.) caramel topping (1 cup)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup butterscotch chips

Directions:

  1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, combine all crust ingredients; mix at low speed until soft and combined. Reserve half of crumb mixture (about 3 cups) for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture in bottom of greased pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine caramel topping and 3 tablespoons flour; blend well.
  3. Remove partially baked crust from oven; sprinkle with chocolate and butterscotch chips. Drizzle evenly with caramel mixture; sprinkle with reserved crust mixture.
  4. Return to oven and bake an additional 20-22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 hour on cooling rack until completely cooled. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until filling is set. Cut into bars. Enjoy!

[/print_this]

IMG_9516

Now I’m wondering if these might be a good recipe to make for The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap? Either way, these will most definitely be making their way into my holiday baking round-up.

IMG_9539

And maybe they’ll end up in yours, too? ;)

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Yum.

 

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Related

November 2, 2011 Filed Under: Cookie Recipe Tagged With: baking, caramel, chocolate, oatmeal carmelitas, pumpkin, pumpkin caramel chocolate chip cookie bars, recipe

About Courtney

I'm a working mom of two beautiful little boys, Lucas and Alex, and I began writing Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life in April 2010. I enjoy chronicling my love of food (healthy and indulgent!), baking, motherhood, fitness, fashion, and everything in between!

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Comments

  1. Nicole says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    OMG these look amazing. I will definitely be making these! Thanks for the great recipe :)
    Reply
  2. Khushboo says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    These look a dream...is it bad that I'm imagining them being topped with vanilla ice cream??
    Reply
  3. Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    Sharing is caring :) I bet they went fast!!! Yummm! They look so chewy!
    Reply
  4. Mallory @ It's Only Life says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    those look incredible courtney! i find that whenever i bake...ANYTHING... i can't keep it in the house. it's a problem actually- cause what's the point if you can't keep it around? i swear i just have this compulsion to keep eating the stuff. i should probably work on that!
    Reply
  5. Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Wow they look AMAZING. I love pumpkin and caramel it's a great combo!
    Reply
  6. Kristi @lifesprinkles.com says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    These look fantastic!! I'm going to have to try :)
    Reply
  7. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    These look amazing! I'm all for anything with pumpkin in it :)
    Reply
  8. Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says

    November 2, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    Then we all know that you care about us! This looks so good and gooey. Love it! I also love that you used butterscotch chips in there. Those are the bomb!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      November 2, 2011 at 3:50 pm

      I would have added more but it was all I had. Next time, I'll probably do half chocolate and half butterscotch.
      Reply
  9. Lena @Fit on the Rocks says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    When I make a yummy new creation, I ALWAYS take it to work or pawn it off on friends. Otherwise, I'll be eating the entire thing within a day or two.
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      November 2, 2011 at 3:49 pm

      Haha...which is exactly what happened with Jay and I and the apple crisp I just made. Gone in three days. Woops!
      Reply
  10. Ruthie Hart says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    I wish we could be real life friends! You and your friends make the best treats!!!!!!!!!!!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      November 2, 2011 at 3:48 pm

      Awww that would be fun!! :-D
      Reply
  11. Shari @ The Daily Dish says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    Wow Courtney. These look awesome! Thanks for sharing. :)
    Reply
  12. Colleen @ Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    I love gooey treats so these sound fabulous....YUM! I would totally make these right now if I didn't need to be in a bathing suit in less than a week!
    Reply
  13. Chelcie of Chelcie's Food Files says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    these look SO good! in my opinion giving away baked goods is the only way to prevent eating them throughout the entire day! i'm sure the people at work were very appreciative!
    Reply
  14. Courtney says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    Those look amazing!! Question for you... when it says to cool them on a wire rack for an hour, I always make such a mess trying to get it out of the baking dish in one piece. Any suggestions?
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      November 2, 2011 at 3:48 pm

      Ohhhh, don't take them out! Sorry, I should have clarified. Just put the whole pan on the cooling rack, which will help them cool quicker than if they were on a solid surface.
      Reply
      • Courtney says

        November 2, 2011 at 4:08 pm

        Ooh even better! Thanks :)
        Reply
      • Courtney says

        November 2, 2011 at 4:10 pm

        PS.. it's always a little weird talking to another Courtney, isn't it?! haha
        Reply
        • Courtney says

          November 2, 2011 at 4:11 pm

          Haha, a little bit! :)
          Reply
  15. Hope says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Oh my lord! These look absolutely incredible! I am definitely adding this to my list of treats to make! It would taste incredible warm with some vanilla ice cream on the side! I cannot wait to try these! :)
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      November 2, 2011 at 3:47 pm

      That is a fantastic idea...and I juuuuuuust so happen to have vanilla ice cream in my freezer right now. Uh oh.
      Reply
  16. Brandi says

    November 2, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    Yum! Thanks for posting this recipe....:) I can't wait to make these!
    Reply
  17. Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile says

    November 2, 2011 at 3:00 pm

    Yum!!! These look perfecttt. I am always down for a new pumpkin recipe ;D
    Reply
  18. Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says

    November 2, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    These bad boys look heavenly! They'd be dangerous sitting in my kitchen too...
    Reply
  19. sherri says

    November 2, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    OMG...Oatmeal Caramelita Bars are a favorite in our house. When my kids were younger they called them "yummy goodness" so that's our name for them. Definitely trying the pupmpkin version
    Reply
  20. Liz @ Tip Top Shape says

    November 2, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    These look amazing!!! Love that you pushed them on your coworkers--I do that all the time. I'm curious about how you adjusted the ingredients. I'm awful at messing with baking recipes (I bake a lot but always with a recipe) and would love to know what you changed. I'm assuming it was upping the dry ingredients...
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      November 2, 2011 at 3:46 pm

      Yup! That's basically what I did - you can see the original recipe ingredients in the link that I provided in my recipe to compare
      Reply
  21. Kelley says

    November 2, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    THESE LOOK AWESOME :) I will have to give them a try!
    Reply
  22. Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says

    November 2, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    Woah, these look completely amazing!!!
    Reply
  23. Savannah @ Sweet and Savvy says

    November 2, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    Um. wow. This incorporate pretty much all my favorite things. :)
    Reply
  24. Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health says

    November 2, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    Wow, those look like something that would just melt in your mouth and taste absolutely amazing!!
    Reply
  25. Claire says

    November 2, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    Those look like they live up to the title "sweet tooth"!!! Yummy :-)
    Reply
  26. Clare @ sweetnsimple says

    November 2, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    oh my.. WOW these look unreal ! never would i have thought of pumpkin, caramel and chocolate together, but keen to try !
    Reply
  27. Molly@hungryhungryrunner.com says

    November 2, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    Okay I swore I was done with the pumpkin baked goods but I think I'm going to have an make an exception for these! They look fantastic!!!
    Reply
  28. Tessa @ Amazing Asset says

    November 2, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    I have only one word for this: Bookmarked :D
    Reply
  29. Alexa @ Simple Eats says

    November 2, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    I am dying over these. DROOOL. Take my face off the keyboard.
    Reply
  30. Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says

    November 2, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    Yum! I opened this post when I was at work, and it made me so hungry! I had to wait until now to comment though...they still look just as good :).
    Reply
  31. Jodi says

    November 3, 2011 at 8:46 am

    These look delicious!! I might actually bring these bars to our Thanksgiving dinner.
    Reply
  32. Alexa says

    November 3, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    i bought the ingredients to make these today! so excited =] especially with the pumpkin kick!
    Reply
  33. Alexa says

    November 4, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    these just came out of the oven! can't wait to eat them =]
    Reply
  34. Michelle @ Blogitness says

    November 5, 2011 at 9:59 pm

    I just came across these now and am very tempted to start baking at 10pm!!
    Reply
  35. Julie says

    November 11, 2011 at 8:20 am

    I just made these last night and my friends and I LOVED them! The only thing I chagned was that I may or may not have added a few extra chocolate/butterscotch chips...what can I say, my sweet tooth knows no measurements! ;) Totally gooey and delicious...now I'm thinking I may need to do what you did and bring some to work, or else I might have to buy new pants! Haha.
    Reply

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Sweet Tooth Sweet Life
Court Profile CircleI'm Courtney, a 30-something wife and working mom living in upstate NY. I'm a food lover, fitness enthusiast, baker extraordinaire and lover of all things sweet.
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