M&M Chocolate Oatmeal Bars - Chewy oatmeal bars with a chocolaty fudge layer, sprinkled with M&Ms.
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There's just something about oatmeal bars. I think they remind me of my childhood. Growing up my mom would make O'Henry Bars and it took everything I had to stop myself from eating the entire pan.
These M&M Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are a little like O'Henry Bars. The chocolate is just inside the bar this time and there's a little oatmeal crumble sprinkled on top along with some delicious mini M&Ms.
I like to line my baking pans with aluminum foil when I make bars because it makes cutting them so much easier. I just lift the foil out of the pan and start going to town. The bars never stick to the bottom or sides of the pan and come out pretty darn perfect.
My mouth starts to water the minute I see that delicious fudge layer. Your teeth literally just sink into these bars. Honest.
One, two, three, four - those were good - can I have one more? The best advice I can give is to make these when family and friends are coming over. Sharing helps with self-control. I've learned the hard way. 😉
There are exceptions however. If you're having a tough day, just want to eat something delicious and don't want to share, I get it. Sometimes it feels tastes good to be bad. Enjoy friends and have a great weekend!
M&M Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract (divided)
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups brown sugar (packed)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups quick cook oats
- ½ cup M&M's mini baking bits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a 13x9" pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- Microwave condensed milk and chocolate in a microwaveable bowl until steaming hot. Allow to sit for 1 minute.
- Stir until chocolate is melted. Add one teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Set aside.
- Put butter, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and remaining vanilla extract in a large bowl and beat with mixer until fluffy.
- Blend in flour.
- Stir in oats until mixture is crumbly.
- Press ⅔ of the mixture firmly into pan.
- Spread evenly with chocolate mixture.
- Sprinkle with remaining oats and M&Ms.
- Bake 25-30 minutes until lightly browned on top.
- Cool, lift foil out of pan and cut into bars.
Notes
- Chocolate Melting: When microwaving the sweetened condensed milk and unsweetened baking chocolate, use short intervals and stir in between to prevent overheating. This helps ensure that the chocolate melts evenly and prevents it from burning or seizing. Allow the mixture to sit for a minute before stirring to allow residual heat to melt any remaining chocolate pieces.
- Even Layering: When spreading the chocolate mixture over the oatmeal base, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to create an even layer. This ensures that each bite of the bars has a balanced amount of chocolate flavor. Aim for a smooth and level surface to achieve uniformity in texture and taste.
- Cooling and Cutting: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the foil and cutting into bars. This helps the bars set and firm up, making them easier to cut into neat squares. For clean and precise cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts to prevent the chocolate from smearing.
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