Double Chocolate-Oatmeal Bars

originally posted 4/26/17 - we love these SO much, and I make them SO often (seriously, everyone loves them!) that I had to share again:

If I took "double chocolate" out of the title these might even count as a healthier dessert haha...I feel like they are better for me than they actually are ;). They are delish - call 'em what you want and eat them any time of the day, I really like them for breakfast. There's a couple steps to these and when I look at the recipe I always think "too much work" but then I make them and remember that they are easy, quick, and everyone loves them - make some and see for yourself!

Chocolate Filling
     1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
     4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
     1 tsp vanilla extract

Microwave milk and chocolate in a 1 quart glass measure on high until steaming hot. Let stand 1 minute. Stir until chocolate melts and mixture is well blended and thickened. Stir in vanilla. Set aside.

Ingredients for the bars:
     2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
     1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
     2 tsp vanilla extract
     1/2 tsp baking soda
     1/4 tsp salt
     2 cups all-purpose flour
     2 cups uncooked old-fashioned oats
     1/2 cup M&M mini baking bits

1. Heat oven to 350'. Line a 13x9" baking pan with foil, letting ends extend about 2 inches above pan. Lightly coat with nonstick spray.

2. Put butter, sugar, vanilla, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; beat with a mixer until fluffy. Add flour; beat just until blended. Stir in oats (mixture will be crumbly). Press 2/3 firmly over bottom of pan. Spread evenly with chocolate mixture, then sprinkle with remaining oat mixture and the M&M's.

3. Bake 25-30 minutes until lightly browned on top. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Lift foil by ends to cutting board. Cut into 48 bars.

Per bar: 183 cal, 3g pro, 24g car, 1g fiber, 9g fat. Store airtight with wax paper between layers at room temp up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Notes: I don't remember where I got this recipe, it's from a magazine and I've been making them a really long time.  2/3 of the mixture goes in the pan first - I measured this time and it's about 2 full cups worth. Press down on the top after you sprinkle the remaining batter and mini M&M's, if the M&M's are loose they'll fall off the bars after baked.

press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of a foil lined pan

spread the melted chocolate mixture over bottom layer

top with remaining batter and mini M&M's, press down lightly