Chocolate Oat Squares

These bar cookies are so good.  In fact, they are so good I once had a friend call them Evil!  There are a few steps to making these but it is so worth it.  Trust me!

CHOCOLATE OAT SQUARES

 In a mixing bowl, cream 1 cup butter with 

 2 cups packed brown sugar.

 Beat in 2 eggs and 

 2 teaspoons of vanilla.

 To that add 3 cups of old-fashioned oats

 2-1/2 cups flour

 1 teaspoon baking soda

 and 1 teaspoon of salt.  Mix well.

 Press 2/3 of the oat mixture into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking dish.

 Now for the good stuff, the chocolate center.  In a saucepan combine 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoons of butter

 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted.  

 Remove from the heat; and add remaining vanilla.  If you'd like to you can also stir in 1 cup of chopped walnuts.

 Spread this heavenly chocolate over the crust.

 Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture.  I take a clump, flatten it with my fingers

 and then kind of piece it together

 like this.  Notice there is still chocolate showing and that's ok.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool completely (this is the hard part)

before cutting into squares.

 CHOCOLATE OAT SQUARES

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened

2 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

3 cups old-fashioned oats

2-1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

In a mixing bowl, cream 1 cup butter and brown sugar.  Beat in eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla.  Add the oats, flour, soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt; mix to combine.  Press two-thirds of oat mixture into a greased 15-in x 10-in x 1-in baking dish.  In a saucepan, combine milk, remaining butter, chocolate chips and salt.  Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted.  Remove from the heat; stir remaining vanilla and walnuts (if using).  Spread over the crust.  Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool completely before cutting into squares.