Chocolate Revel Bars

I didn't mean to disappear from my blog, I've been busy with school, work, and life in general.  Typically if I am overwhelmed with work and homework I will do more baking to avoid the stress and work but this last week I actually ignored the oven and completed most of my projects and cleaned half of my house (don't want to be seen as an over achiever) and even started getting my tax papers in order (this required many glasses of wine).  Believe it or not, I haven't baked in an entire week!  Fortunately (or unfortunately for my waistline) I have a lot of baking lined up over the next week, so I will have more to post!

We are starting the weekend off with Chocolate Revel Bars for my boys.  I found this recipe years ago in "Better Homes and Gardens" and the boys have been addicted ever since (me too)!  I am an oatmeal cookie junky and the base of these bars is just like a yummy oatmeal cookie, full of brown sugar and butter (I did NOT eat the cookie dough....but if I did, it was delicious)!  The rich, gooey, chocolate layer is super easy and tastes just like fudge, good enough to eat by the spoonful!  I changed nothing about this recipe except to exclude the 1 cup of chopped walnuts that was originally added to the chocolate layer.  I am not a huge fan of walnuts and chocolate but if you are, add the walnuts to the chocolate mixture along with the vanilla after the chocolate has melted.

I don't have a 15x10 inch baking pan, so I press the oat mixture into the bottom of a larger baking pan without filling the entire base.  I basically form my own 15x10 on one side of my sheet pan.  This dough is really thick and doesn't spread out so it works just fine.

The only problem with these bars is that they are perfect and you won't be able to stop eating them!  Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE REVEL BARS

1 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 12 oz package semisweet chocolate pieces
2 teaspoons vanilla

Set aside 2 tablespoons of butter.  In a large mixing bowl beat the remaining butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.  Add brown sugar; beat until well mixed.  Beat in eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla.  In another bowl stir together the flour and baking soda; stir in oats.  Gradually stir dry mixture into beaten mixture.  Set aside.

In a medium saucepan combine the reserved butter, the sweetened condensed milk, and the chocolate pieces.  Cook over low heat until chocolate melts, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat.  Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla.

Press two thirds of the oat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 15 x 10 in. baking pan.  Spread chocolate mixture over the oat mixture.  Using your fingers, dot remaining oat mixture over the chocolate.

Bake in 350 oven about 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned (chocolate will still look moist).  Cool on wire rack and cut.

Recipe from Better Homes and Garden