Decadent Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Oatmeal Fudge Bars – a decadent layer of fudge sandwiched between two buttery oatmeal crumb crusts. What’s not to love? You will get rave reviews any time you serve these spectacular dessert bars! 

OATMEAL COOKIE + FUDGE = HEAVEN!!

I got the recipe for these amazing bars from my good friend Judy. She served them at a luncheon, and after one bite I was in heaven! The crunch of the oatmeal cookie crust combined with the creamy chocolate fudge layer is simply out of this world.

No matter where I take these, they just fly off the serving dish. If you are serving a large crowd, you may need to cut them into smaller squares, because everyone is going to want to try them!

Have I mentioned the fudge filling in the middle? It is made of chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk, and it is to die for. I could just eat it by the spoonful. Good stuff!

HOW TO MAKE OATMEAL FUDGE BARS

INGREDIENTS:

• butter – You will need butter for both the dough and the filling. I use salted butter, so if you have unsalted, you will need to add about 1/4 tsp extra salt to the dough. For the dough, you want your butter to be softened to room temperature.
• brown sugar – I use light brown sugar, but you can use dark brown sugar if you prefer.
• eggs – Always use large eggs for baking unless the recipe says otherwise.
• vanilla extract – Just use your favorite brand, even the cheap stuff is fine.
• all purpose flour – If you don’t bake often, it’s a good idea to sift or whisk your flour before measuring it to make sure it isn’t compacted. Compacted flour leads to dry baked goods.
• baking soda – Adds a bit of rise to the bars, but not too much because you want them chewy.
• salt – Balances out the sweetness, and gives the oatmeal cookie dough flavor.
• oats – I have had good results with both old fashioned and quick oats. Never use instant oats for baking.
• sweetened condensed milk – Not to be confused with evaporated milk, this stuff is thick and sweet.
• semi sweet chocolate chips – You can substitute dark chocolate chips, but not milk chocolate chips. Milk chocolate chips don’t melt as well, and they make the bars overly sweet.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. PREP WORK – Soften the butter to room temperature. Spray a 9×13″ pan with non stick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. PREPARE DOUGH – Cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients till mixture is crumbly; set aside.
3. MAKE FILLING – Combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a glass bowl. Heat in the microwave till smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in the vanilla.
4. ASSEMBLE BARS – Press about 2/3 of the dough in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the fudge filling over the dough. Top with spoonfuls of remaining dough. I like to flatten the dough in my hands, but you can just use globs if you want fudge showing through the top.
5. BAKE – Bake at 350° for about 25 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Don’t overbake, or they will be hard.
6. COOL – These bars definitely slice better when they have cooled completely. 

HOW SHOULD I STORE THESE OATMEAL BARS?

Either cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or wrap each bar individually. They will keep at room temperature for 4-5 days. 

I haven’t tried freezing them, but I think they should freeze well. I suggest wrapping them individually in plastic wrap, then placing them in heavy duty ziplock bags.

I know I said that these bars slice better when they are completely cooled. But if you are just serving them to your family, feel free to serve them warm. They won’t be as pretty, but boy will they taste amazing!

For an extra decadent treat, you could serve them warm topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Oh my.

Just look at that ooey gooey fudge layer!

MORE DESSERT BARS:

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Churro Cheesecake Bars
• Sugar Cookie Bars
• Nut Bar Recipe
• Jan Hagel
• Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars
• Golden Graham S’mores
• Butterscotch Bars
• Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars
• Pistachio Bars
• Lemon Brownies
• Zucchini Blondies

OATMEAL FUDGE BARS

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Yield: 24 servings

Decadent Oatmeal Fudge Bars

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Creamy chocolate fudge sandwiched between layers of oatmeal cookie dough. A decadent bar cookie everyone goes crazy for!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

Oatmeal Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups oats (old fashioned or quick)

Chocolate Fudge Filling:

• 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. Cream together butter & sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs & vanilla. Whisk together flour, soda, salt, oatmeal and add to sugar mixture. Mix till crumbly and set aside.
2. Heat chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a glass bowl in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Stir in vanilla.
3. In bottom of greased 9x13" pan spread 2/3 of the crumb mixture. Spread filling over crust, then drop spoonfuls of remaining mixture on top of the chocolate.
4. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes.

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• 
  Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 
  Norpro Spatula Stainless Steel

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 369Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 259mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 2gSugar: 35gProtein: 6g

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(originally posted Mar 3, 2009, photos and recipe instructions updated April 2021)

Whether you are serving them at a potluck, party, or just as an afternoon snack, these chocolate fudge oatmeal bars will disappear in a jiffy!