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Oatmeal Fudge Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 107 reviews

Delight in these rich and chewy Oatmeal Fudge Bars featuring a buttery oatmeal cookie base layered with a smooth, decadent chocolate fudge topping. Perfectly balanced with a hint of cinnamon and the luscious sweetness of condensed milk, these bars are a comforting treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Oatmeal Cookie Layer

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 and 1/3 cups old-fashioned oats

Chocolate Fudge Layer

  • 1 and 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or 50-70% dark chocolate)
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (one 14-oz can)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the sides for easy removal, or alternatively use aluminum foil lightly greased.
  2. Mix Oatmeal Cookie Base: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined. Add the large egg and vanilla extract and whisk thoroughly.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Fold in the flour, salt, and cinnamon until just combined. Then gently stir in the old-fashioned oats to form the oatmeal cookie dough.
  4. Form Bottom Layer: Spoon about three quarters of the oatmeal mixture into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly to create a uniform oatmeal cookie layer. Reserve the remaining oatmeal mixture (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) for topping later.
  5. Melt Chocolate Fudge: Fill a medium saucepan with about 1/2 inch of water and heat over low to medium heat. Place a large heatproof glass bowl on top of the saucepan, ensuring the bowl’s bottom does not touch the water (double boiler setup). Add the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter to the bowl. Stir gently and continuously as the mixture melts together until smooth.
  6. Remove From Heat: Once the chocolate fudge mixture reaches a smooth, melted consistency, carefully remove the glass bowl from the heat.
  7. Assemble the Bars: Pour the warm chocolate fudge mixture evenly over the oatmeal cookie base in the pan.
  8. Top with Remaining Oatmeal Dough: Drop spoonfuls (about tablespoon size) of the remaining oatmeal mixture over the chocolate fudge layer, leaving some fudge visible between dollops.
  9. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the bars for 25 to 30 minutes. The oatmeal dollops on top should appear set but not browned to maintain a chewy texture. Baking longer will yield crispier bars.
  10. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for about 3 hours to let the fudge set thoroughly. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan onto a cutting board. Slice into squares with a sharp knife and serve.

Notes

  • Ensure the bottom of the glass bowl does not touch the water to prevent burning the chocolate.
  • Use sweetened condensed milk; evaporated milk will not yield the right texture or sweetness.
  • The bars become chewy and firm once fully cooled and set – avoid slicing when warm.
  • For a richer flavor, you can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate (50-70% cacao).
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
  • For a nutty twist, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the oatmeal mixture before baking.

Keywords: oatmeal fudge bars, chocolate fudge bars, oatmeal cookie bars, chewy dessert bars, easy homemade bars

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/oatmeal-fudge-bars-recipe/