Late Night Snack Bars

I didn't feel comfortable giving new parents Dave and Wendy only a casserole dish of macaroni and cheese.  I mean, they also need dessert, right?  Yeah, I gave them a fruit salad, but they need a treat, too.  How about something hearty to give Wendy some energy after late-night feedings?  Okay, so maybe some oats...add some nuts...chocolate is expected, of course...

Chocolate Oat Snack Bars
Makes about 30 bars

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
4 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups rolled oats
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup chopped pecans (or other nut)

Set aside 2 Tbsp of butter for use later in the recipe.  Beat remaining butter with sugars until well mixed. Beat in eggs and 2 tsp of vanilla.  In a separate bowl, stir together oats, flour, and baking soda.  Gradually stir this dry mix into butter mixture and stir until well blended.

Press about 2/3rds of this dough into the bottom of a 15x10x1 inch baking pan, and set aside for a minute.

In a medium saucepan, combine the reserved 2 Tbsp of butter, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate chips.

Cook over low heat until the chocolate melts and stir gently until all the ingredients are blended.  Remove from the heat and stir in nuts and 2 tsp vanilla.

Spread the chocolate over the dough.  Then, using your fingers, dot the remaining oat mixture/dough over the chocolate.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for about 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned.  Cool on a wire rack.  Cut into bars.