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The Ultimate Chewy Chocolate Oatmeal Bars – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

The Ultimate Chewy Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

These incredible oatmeal bars boast a chewy, buttery base bursting with rich brown sugar and hearty oat flavor, smothered in a decadent layer of melted semi-sweet chocolate and a generous sprinkle of crunchy walnuts. Perfect for an afternoon snack, a potluck showstopper, or as a
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 13 minutes
Servings: 24 BARS
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup (240 ml) / 2 sticks butter, softened
  • ¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) rolled oats, non-instant
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole wheat pastry flour, or ½ cup whole wheat flour and ½ cup unbleached white flour
  • 1 cup (240 ml) finely chopped walnuts, not ground
  • 1 ½ cups / 9 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
  • for Perfect Oatmeal Bars
  • For a deeper, nuttier flavor, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes before chopping and adding them to the recipe.
  • To get perfectly clean cuts, run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe it dry between each slice. This prevents the chocolate from cracking and smearing.
  • Feel free to customize! Swap the walnuts for pecans or almonds, or use butterscotch or white chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and flour a 12 x 7 x 2-inch pan. If using a glass pan, preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
  3. Add the oats, flour, and half of the walnuts.
  4. Beat just until blended; do not overwork the dough. You may need to finish this step by hand.
  5. With a rubber spatula or your fingers, spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  6. Bake for 25 minutes, or until it is a rich golden color.
  7. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle on the chocolate chips. Return to the oven for 3 minutes, or until they are soft. With a spatula, spread the chocolate evenly over the surface.
  8. Sprinkle on the remaining nuts and press them lightly into the surface.
  9. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then chill for 1 hour, or until the chocolate is firm but not hard.
  10. Cut into 24 bars and serve. Store in a tightly covered tin.
  11. Don't overbake the base. It should be golden brown at the edges but still slightly soft in the center when you remove it from the oven; it will firm up as it cools.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 3gFat: 15g

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