Carmelitas: Memories of College Food Service

I went to Iowa State University. Go Cyclones! I knew since tenth grade that I wanted to go to ISU. I fell in love with the campus after visiting on an orchestra trip. However, my parents wanted me to keep my options open, so I also applied to University of Nothern Iowa. I ‘officially’ visited both campuses as a senior and there was no contest, especially in the food service department. ISU won hands down. Nutrition has always been very important to me and I worked hard to lose 50 pounds in high school, I wasn’t about to put it back on college! When you visit a college as a senior, you get a lunch included. The lunch at UNI was greasy pizza and hamburgers. ISU had a very nice selection of healthy foods, a ‘deli line’ where you could build your own sandwich, and (I still remember this) the most delicious lemon bars for dessert. I knew I was already going to ISU because of the beautiful campus and academic options (I was undecided, as I still am now), but the food service put it over the top!

I didn’t allow myself to eat dessert at every meal. A lot of my classmates did, and oh how jealous I was of them and their metabolism. I only allowed myself dessert for my most favorite dishes, and carmelitas was one of them. Layers of oatmeal cookie, gooey caramel and chocolate chips. It was divine! I finally found a ‘copycat’ recipe on allrecipes.com a few years ago, called Becky’s Oatmeal Carmelitas. It’s not quite as good as ISU’s, but it will do. I always make half a batch when I have leftover caramels from making Caramel Apple Pie. The only change I make is that I sprinkle the chocolate chips on after drizzling the caramel. I hope you give them a try and enjoy them as much we do!
 

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  1. Hey my fellow Iowan, I have never tried carmelitas but I do know that you are a true foodie!

     
  2. I went to the other ISU (Illinois) in early 90s and I think we may have had these,too. Will definitely try this.

     
  3. try the Oatmeal Carmelitas by Sharon M. on AR. Definitely a 5 star recipe!

     
  4. Yes! Go CYCLONES! I love Carmelitas, I miss them so much! Thanks for the recipe, I'll have to try it!

     
  5. Thanks for the recipe! I'm still looking for a recipe for their peanut butter bars – the low, compact ones with the frosting/glazing. Any ideas?

     

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