Day 142: Chocolate Oatmeal Almost-Candy Bars

Sorry about the late post AGAIN!  We've had company all weekend and there hasn't been time to do much besides eat and laugh and visit with people I love!  We had these bars for dessert last night with a big scoop of french vanilla ice cream.  I got this recipe from a friend!

Chocolate Oatmeal Almost-Candy Bars
12" dutch oven

For the oatmeal layer:

2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup salted honey roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped

For the chocolate layer:

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¾ cup salted honey roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped

To make the oatmeal cookie layer, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whisk to blend. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter on medium-high speed until it is soft and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Blend in the vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, mix in the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Mix in the oats and peanuts with a rubber spatula until evenly combined.

Reserve 1½ cups of the mixture. Place the remaining dough in a buttered dutch oven and press over the bottom of the pan in an even layer.

To make the chocolate layer, combine the condensed milk, chocolate chips, butter and salt in an 8" or 10" dutch oven.  Slowly melt them together, stirring occasionally.  I used 5 coals under my 10" oven.  It took about 10 minutes to melt completely.  Stir occasionally until the mixture is warm and the chocolate chips and butter are melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and peanuts.

Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the oatmeal cookie layer and spread evenly. Crumble the remaining oatmeal cookie mixture and scatter evenly over the top of the chocolate.  I used my fingers.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the chocolate layer is starting to pull away from the sides of the pan.  Let cool completely. Cut into bars as desired and serve.  Serves 10-12.

The Finished Product

 

 
 

The Review
 
I really liked these!  I made them in the afternoon and served them with ice cream so it was a super easy dessert!  It also fed everyone easily with some leftover.  They are really rich, and the peanuts add a nice crunch.  Next time I'll use regular peanuts rather than the honey roasted.  I couldn't taste the sweet coating  on the nuts so I think the plain peanuts will work just as well.  These were a big hit so I'm going to keep this recipe on hand.  Grade B+.