Chewy Chocolate - Oat Bars

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons quick-cooking oats
• 2 teaspoons butter, softened

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 in a 1 quart heavy saucepan, heat filling ingredients over low heat, stirring frequently until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
• 3 in a large bowl, mix flour, 1/2 cup oats, the baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. in a medium bowl, stir egg, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla with fork until smooth; stir into flour mixture until blended. reserve 1/2 cup dough in small bowl for topping.
• 4 pat remaining dough in pan (if dough is sticky, spray fingers with cooking spray or dust with flour). spread filling over dough. add 2 tbsp oats and the butter to reserved dough. mix with pastry blender or fork until well mixed. place small pieces of mixture over filling.
• 5 bake 20 to 25 minutes or until top is golden and firm. cool completely, about 1 hour 30 minutes. cut into 16 bars.