Oatmeal Fudge Bars
I’ve discovered that oats and chocolate are a very underrated combination. While I don’t typically put chocolate in my morning oatmeal, I have found that chocolate added to an oat-based baked good is, in almost all cases, a very, very good decision. Chocolate chips instead of raisins in oatmeal cookies? Superb. Mini chocolate chips in homemade granola bars? No-brainer. Chocolate and caramel in Oatmeal Carmalita Bars? Heaven. Chocolate and oats together in desserts and snacks will always make your taste buds smile. Which is exactly why these Oatmeal Fudge Bars are a huge win. You’re going to love them!
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This is an easy-peasy bar recipe that only requires a couple of bowls, a whisk, and a spatula. Don’t you just love those?! An oatmeal crumb crust serves as the bread in this amazing brownie sandwich. Part of it is used as a bottom crust, and the rest as a crumble topping. In between? A wonderful layer of fudge-like brownie awesomeness. It’s part crunchy, part dense and chocolatey, and part crumbly. An easy recipe perfect for after-school snacks, an easy dessert, or something to bring along to a work potluck or friend’s picnic. The epitome of a versatile recipe!
One year ago: Broccoli Salad
Two years ago: Dark Chocolate Truffles
Oatmeal Fudge Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup (81 g) quick-cooking oats
- 1¼ cups (275 g) light brown sugar, divided
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, divided
- ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) baking soda
- Pinch of salt + ¼ teaspoon salt, divided
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder or instant coffee
- 1½ cups (270 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, allowing excess to hang over pan edges. Grease foil; set pan aside.
- Combine the oats, 1 cup of the brown sugar, ¾ cup of the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and the pinch of salt. Stir together in a bowl to combine. Melt 8 tablespoons of the butter and stir into the oat mixture until combined. Reserve ¾ cup of the mixture for the topping.
- Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the bottom of the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake until light golden brown, about 12 minutes. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Combine the remaining ¼ cup of flour, the remaining ¼ cup brown sugar, the instant espresso powder, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt in a small bowl; set aside.
- Melt the chocolate chips and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large bowl, microwaving at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring after each. Let cool slightly. Add the egg and whisk until combined. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the flour mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the chocolate filling over the cooled crust and sprinkle with the remaining oatmeal mixture. Bake until a toothpick inserted in to the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Using the foil overhang, lift the bars from the pan and cut into squares. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
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Looks wonderful! The only question I have is can I use old fashioned oats and not the quick ones? Would it be an alright substitute?
I haven’t attempted that with these bars. Sometimes when quick cooking oats are called for and you use the old-fashioned, you end up with a coarser texture and things don’t set up and old together as well. I would try with quick oats if you can.
Just what I figured. We don’t eat quick oats, but I’ll have to get them just to try and recreate this deliciousness! Thank you for your prompt responce, btw! Not everybody reads all responces to their blogs.
I used old fashioned oats in mine. I pulse them in my food processor a few times to slightly break them up. Mine probably had a slightly coarser texture than having used quick oats, they turned out delicious! But, I also made a few other adjustments in order to make them gluten-free.
Chocolate + oats = heaven! Love these bars!
Love these! I was thinking of you when I found a recipe for chocolate cream cheese ball that has peanut butter in it too. I made it and its fabulous!!! Check out thesisterscafe.com. You’ll love it!
the chocolate looks so soft almost like a mousse texture, love the crumbles on top!
My grandma used to make something similar to this when I was a kid. Haven’t had them in years!
Today’s snack would be perfect if I had one of these and a tall glass of cold milk *yumm*
Oh these look delicious!
I’m a big fan of oatmeal and chocolate so I have no doubt that I will love these bars. They do look delicious.
I agree, never a bad idea to add chocolate to anything made with oats! I loved these when I made them, and now I want them again seeing yours :) By the way, love that turquoise napkin!!
Michelle, I have made these bars from America’s Test Kitchen, too and know how darn good they are! I like to add a little nutmeg as well, which goes really well with the oats and chocolate. You’ve reminded me that I need to make another batch!
I”m all for chocolate and oats! Love these!
Sounds so good with the touch of instant coffee. They look so moist and delish.
I’m dying to make some of these!! Love oats + chocolate!
Yum! Love the pictures. A thick chocolate fudge layer sandwiched between two oatmeal cookies sounds wonderful!
If there is oatmeal in it, I consider it breakfast. Sooooo….oatmeal fudge bars for breakfast! Sounds like a winner to me! I cannot wait to try these. They look wonderful!
The pictures make me wanna grab one right off the screen. mmmmm… I can’t wait to try these.
These look downright sinful…but you know with oatmeal so you can kind of make a case of how healthy they are HAHA!
Oh man, this is pure heaven. This sounds amazzzzzzzing! Yum!!!!
You had me at Fudge!
These need to appear in my kitchen soon. Yum!
I love easy recipes like that and love that thick layer of fudge!
Mmmm – that fudge layer looks so, so tempting.
That fudge later looks amazing!
I occasionally DO enjoy chocolate with my morning oatmeal! I add a little hot chocolate mix to my oats, then add the water and zap in the microwave.
What a great idea! I know what I’m having for breakfast tomorrow!
Chocolate is suuuuccchhh a better choice than raisins! These look ridiculous!!
Nutella in oatmeal is really good!
bars, fudge, oatmeal, oatmeal bars, caramelitas bars…you just mentioned some of my fave things!
Chocolate added to anything is good! :) Well…mostly everything. These look super delicious and I love the photos….currently drooling.
YUM! This is one of my all time favourites. Yours are so lovely!!
I definitely agree that oats and chocolate are fantastic together! I want one of these right now!