06/08/2026
Don't scroll! These caramel-filled bars with a crunchy crumble topping are the ultimate holiday dessert hack. 🎄✨
Caramel Oat Crumble Bars
Imagine a buttery shortbread base topped with a layer of rich, gooey caramel and crunchy oat crumble topping...all topped with festive red and green candies! 🤤 These bars are so texturally dreamy. The base is soft, the middle sticky sweet and the top just right crunchy.
Plus they look like you slaved in the kitchen for hours but they are made in one pan! It’s the ultimate “impressive yet easy” treat for holiday parties, cookie exchanges or just to satisfy your sweet tooth.
🛒 What you will need:
The Buttery Base:
1½ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup melted vegan butter
1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
A dash of salt
The Slimy Middle;
1 cup thick Vegan Caramel Sauce (store-bought or homemade!)
For the Crumble Topping:
1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned type)
½ cup flour, all-purpose
½ cup packed brown sugar ½ cup cubed vegan butter (cold)
The Festive Finale:
½ cup Red and Green Vegan Candies (like vegan M&Ms) or festive sprinkles 👩🍳 How To Make It:
Prepare the Base: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line an 8×8 square pan with parchment paper. Mix the flour, melted vegan butter, sugar and salt to form a dough. Press firmly into the bottom of pan. Bake until lightly golden brown, 15-20 minutes.
Caramel layer Remove the base from the oven. Drizzle the vegan caramel sauce evenly over the warm crust. Spread with spatula to edges.
Prepare the Crumble: In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, and brown sugar. Add the cold vegan butter cubed. Combine the mixture with your fingers or a pastry cutter until in large chunks.
To assemble: Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the caramel layer. Gently press the red and green candies into the crumble topping in rows (like in the picture!).
Final Bake: Bake for a further 20–25 mins until the crumble is golden brown and the caramel is bubbling slightly at the edges.
Cool & Cut Cool completely in pan. This is important! When cool, lift out with the parchment paper and cut into squares.
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Slice:
Chill Before Slicing: For clean, perfect squares like the ones in the photo, pop the cooled pan in the fridge for 1 hour before cutting. This makes the caramel set so it doesn't ooze all over the place!
Caramel Consistency: If your caramel sauce is too runny, leave it in the fridge for 10 minutes before pouring so it doesn’t completely soak into the base.
Candy Timing: If you use candies that melt easily (like chocolate M&Ms) add them in the last 5 minutes of baking so they don’t melt!
Tag your baking buddy who needs to try these for the holidays! 🍪
