I’m always on the lookout for people that enjoy cooking or baking. Recently I attended a conference in Omaha and connected immediately with Carli McIntire, who resides in the Kewanee area. Carli and I identified that we both love to read, and we both love to cook. This led to hours of discussion on both topics.
When I asked her if she had a favorite recipe that she would be willing to share, she immediately started talking about her mom’s fudge bars. Carli mentioned that she makes them regularly and that her kids love them. She said that she often takes them to events to share, because they are usually different from what others tend to bring, and they are always a favorite. Her mom’s recipe calls for nuts in the fudge, but her family prefers them without the nuts.
Bars are a little outside of my comfort zone because I haven’t made many similar recipes in the past. I found these to be easy to put together, and they were extremely well received at my house.
This recipe produces an oatmeal cookie-like bottom with a true fudge flavor in the middle and then more oatmeal cookie crunch on top. They are gooey in the center and just downright delicious.
Try these out this week to share with your friends or family. From Carli and Carli’s mom’s kitchen to yours – enjoy!
Serves 15
Oatmeal Mixture:
1 c. margarine or butter, melted
2 c. light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 t. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1 t. soda
1 t. salt
3 c. oatmeal
Filling:
12 oz. chocolate chips
2 T. butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 t. salt
2 t. vanilla
1 c. nuts (optional)
To make the oatmeal mixture, cream butter and brown sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Mix flour, soda and salt separately and then add to butter mixture. Add oatmeal and combine. Spread 2/3 of mixture into a greased 9×13” pan.
To make the filling, set up a double boiler or make your own by placing a pan or heat safe bowl over a pan containing boiling water. Mix chocolate chips in the container placed over the boiling water with butter, sweetened condensed milk and salt. Stir until smooth and remove from heat. Add vanilla and nuts, if desired. Spread over oatmeal mixture in pan.
Dot the rest of the oatmeal mixture on top of the filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Cool, cut into squares and serve.
