Chocolate Oat Bars

I haven't shared a recipe in a while and these are to die for. I got it from my friend crush, Becky Higgins. If you want to see a better picture of these amazing little treats, check out her website. It's the picture on the "recipes" section. Yum. I actually think these are a little too rich, as is. So I experimented with cutting the chocolate mixture in 1/2 and that really helped. But to each his own. Follow the recipe first and make your own decision.

** Warning: notice certain items say "divided" - don't dump it all together!!! Be sure to follow the directions.

Chocolate Oat Bars

1 c. plus 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, softened, divided
2 c. packed brown sugar
2 eggs
4 tsp. vanilla extract, divided
3 c. quick-cooking oats
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt, divided
1 tsp. baking soda
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
2 c. (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. chopped walnuts

In a saucepan, combine milk, chocolate chips and remaining butter and salt. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted.

While chocolate is melting, combine cream 1 c. butter and brown sugar in a small mixing bowl. Beat in eggs and 2 tsp. vanilla. Combine the oats, flour, 1 teaspoon salt and baking soda in a separate bowl; stir into creamed mixture. Press 2/3 of oat mixture into a greased 9" x 13" baking pan.

Remove from the chocolate mixture from the heat once it's melted and stir in walnuts and remaining vanilla. Spread over the crust. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool. If you're in a hurry, stick the pan in the fridge to help the cooling process, otherwise the chocolate is still melty and the whole bar falls apart. Cut into squares.

Yield: 4 dozen