Fudgy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Cooling Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 35 mins
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Servings
9
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Calories
650 kcal
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Course
Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Fudgy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Description
This recipe starts by melting butter and mixing it with egg, brown sugar, and vanilla before stirring in rolled oats, flour, and an optional pinch of salt. Most of the batter forms a base crust in an 8x8-inch pan. A mix of melted semi-sweet chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk is poured over the crust, creating a gooey chocolate filling. The reserved oat batter is crumbled on top for a streusel-like effect.
Baking at 350°F melts and toasts ingredients to produce bars with fudgy centers and slightly crisp edges. The combination of oats and chocolate adds chewiness and richness without being overly cake-like. These bars deliver a balanced sweetness and can be served as dessert or snack.
They store well airtight at room temperature for a week and can be frozen up to six months. Use foil to line the pan for easy removal and cutting.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter 1 stick, melted, unsalted
- 1 egg large
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats not quick cook or instant
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- pinch salt optional and to taste
- 1 cup chocolate chips for batter, semi-sweet
- sweetened condensed milk just eyeball it, half of one 14-ounce can
- semi-sweet chocolate chips for sprinkling, about 1/3 cup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
- Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
- Add the oats, flour, and stir until just combined, don’t overmix.
- Turn three-quarters of the batter out into prepared pan, smoothing it with a spatula to form a crust; reserve remainder and set aside.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add 1 cup chocolate chips, pour sweetened condensed milk over the top, and heat on high power until the chips melt and mixture can be stirred smooth, about 45 to 60 seconds.
- Evenly pour chocolate mixture over crust, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Work somewhat quickly because mixture begins to set up after a couple minutes.
- Evenly crumble the reserved oatmeal mixture over the chocolate layer. I find it easiest to make heaping 1-tablespoon-sized ‘blobs’, and after all the blobs are in the pan, smoosh and smooth them together with a spatula. The entire surface will not be covered and there will be some gaps.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, or until top is set; it should be very pale in color for soft bars; golden colored means bars will be crunchier.
- Evenly sprinkle bars with about 1/3 cup chocolate chips, or as desired. Chips will soften and melt slightly. Avoid jostling the pan because it will cause chips to melt more rather than stay intact.
- Set pan aside and allow bars to cool in pan for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Store bars airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 6 months for extended freshness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 9Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 650 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 650kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 86g | 29% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Cholesterol | 68mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 109mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 70g | 140% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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