Oatmeal and Chocolate Fudge? Yes Please!!

There is a small bakery in town that my sister in law, Kim, used to talk about this oatmeal chocolate bar they had that was delicious and a must try. I agree, they were good, however just recently I wanted to make an at home version that was even better. Kim has since moved to Seattle and probably hasn't had one of these treats for years..so when she comes back for Christmas this year I will be putting these to the test. I am sure she will agree they are delicious! I had the urge to make these one night when everyone was in bed so the pictures aren't great, not that I can blame my bad photography on my kitchen lightening, but I will try. I left my husband a note to cut some up in the morning and take them to work with him. I did not feel like waiting up till the early morning hours when they had cooled off to slice them up. He took half the pan and when I asked him what he thought of them, he told me that he didn't try one cause they were eaten up so fast. Perfect!

Oatmeal Fudge Bars

adapted from Allrecipes.com

3 cups Quick Cooking Oats

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup butter (softened)

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 TBLS. vanilla (divided)

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

2 TBLS. butter

1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 9x13 pan. In large bowl, beat together 1 cup of softened butter and brown sugar. Mix in eggs and 1 TBLS. vanilla. In separate bowl mix together oats, flour, baking soda and 1 tsp. salt. Combine with butter mixture and set aside.

In medium sauce pan heat sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, 3 TBLS. butter, 1 TBLS. vanilla extract, and 1/2 tsp. salt over low heat, stir until smooth. Remove from heat. Press about 2/3 of the oatmeal mixture into the pan and spread chocolate mixture over the top. With your hands, drop the remaining oatmeal mixture over the top of the chocolate. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, careful not to over bake! Let cool completely to allow the chocolate to set. Cut into bars.

If you would like you can add some sliced almonds, or pecans to the chocolate mixture while it is on the stove top.