Gooey Caramelita Cookies

A few months back my sister in law posted about these delicious caramel chocolate oatmeal bars that she saw on LuLu the Baker called caramelitas. I was immediately smitten and knew I had to save the recipe for later. Well, this morning I felt like baking and decided to make caramelita inspired cookies instead of bars. I used my mom's oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe and altered it to include caramel sauce, walnuts and Rolos. They turned out better than I could have hoped for! Gooey, soft and full of chocolate caramel goodness. I took a few to my husband and they were gone in minutes! Enjoy and happy baking ♥

Gooey Caramelita Cookies
Ingredients
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. quick rolled oats
½ c. sugar
½ c. brown sugar
½ c. (1 stick) butter, room temperature
1 egg
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. caramel sauce
¼ c. finely chopped walnuts
16 Rolo candies, chilled and chopped
½ c. chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in egg, then vanilla.
3. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together until combined. With mixing speed on low, slowly add into the creamed mixture until just blended.
4. Remove bowl from stand mixer and fold in the oats, caramel sauce, walnuts, Rolo chunks and chocolate chips. Using a standard cookie scoop, drop onto prepared baking sheets.
5. Place in oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the tops begin to turn light golden in color. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 3-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Created using a Stephen + Natalie family recipe | Makes approximately 2 dozen cookies