Fudge Jumbles

My mother-in-law first introduced me to these, and they immediately became (and have stayed) one of my absolute favorites. I try not to make them too often, because I am capable of eating way too many at one time. But they are a staple recipe of mine for sharing - great for any occasion. They are easy, fudgey, gooey, chewy, and a little crunchy. They are just amazing!!! Definitely make these at some point...


RECIPE: Fudge Jumbles
makes about 24 bars

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2.5 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups oatmeal
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350F, and grease a 9x12-inch pan.

TIP: I always line my pan with foil on the inside, then lightly grease the foil. That way when my bars are out of the oven and cool, I can use the edges of the foil like handles to easily remove the whole thing from the pan. Then you can cut the bars on a flat surface, with out having to scoop out the first few from the corner.

Using a stand or electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar on medium speed, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until everything is combined.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in oatmeal. Add dry ingredients to the bowl of the mixer and beat or stir with a wooden spoon until everything is combined.

Spread 2/3 of the oatmeal mixture in the bottom of a greased 9x12-inch pan. Reserve the remaining 1/3 of the batter for the topping.

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat (or in the microwave), melt the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, butter, and salt. Stir the mixture frequently while it is melting to prevent it from sticking to the pan. After the mixture is melted and pourable, remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour the mixture immediately over the oat mixture in the pan. Using a utensil, smooth the chocolate evenly over the oat mixture, all the way to the sides of the pan.

Drop small-medium pieces of the remaining dough in dots over the chocolate mixture, covering the surface evenly until you have used it all.

Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. The bars cut best when the are completely cool, so if you want to speed up the process, put them in the fridge after they cool at least slightly.