Cookie Bars

My friend Paige made these for a baby shower we hosted.  They were soooo good! She wasn't sure which recipe she used, so she sent me two recipes -- we'll have to guess to see which one is the right one, but they both sound good!

For the shower I didn't have butter and substituted it with Crisco and it worked out that way too.  Although for some reason I feel like butter is healthier???  I don't know why :)  Here is the recipe:

Chocolate Filled Bars:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

Cream together and then add:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

Fold into creamed mixture, and then stir in:

3 cups oatmeal

Set aside.

Put in a saucepan:

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 large bag chocolate chips

1 T. margarine

1/2 tsp. salt

Melt together and then add:

2 tsp. vanilla

Press 3/4 oatmeal mixture into a greased 9x13 inch pan.  Cover mixture with chocolate mixture.  Dot remaining oatmeal mixture over the top.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

 

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Chocolate Oatmeal Bars:

1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup flour

1 1/4 cup quick oats

1 (14oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream butter, sugar, and salt.  Blend flour and oats until particles are fine. (Add about 1/8 cup more flour, if necessary, so it will be in particles.) Press 2/3 of mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan.

Heat milk in a saucepan; stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Pour over crust.  Sprinkle with remaining oatmeal mixture.

Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes.