Fudgy Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients:

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup butter, softened

2 eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups oats, quick-cooking or regular

1 package (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 15 1/2" x 10 1/2" x 1" baking pan. In large bowl, mix brown sugar, 1 cup butter, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in flour, soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir in oats. Reserve 1/3 of the mixture; press remaining mixture in pan.

In small saucepan, heat chocolate chips, milk, 2 tablespoons butter over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts. Remove from heat; stir in nuts, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread over oatmeal mixture in pan. Drop reserved oatmeal mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls onto chocolate mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. While warm, cut into bars, about 2" x 1". Yield: 70 cookies