Chewy Chocolate Oat Bars

 Chewy Chocolate Oat Bars

Ingredients:

– 1 cup (250g) unsalted butter
– 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
– 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 3 cups (270g) rolled oats
– 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1 1/2 cups (270g) chocolate chips
– 1 can (14oz/400g) sweetened condensed milk
– 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter
– 1 cup (175g) peanut butter chips (optional)
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 Instructions:

1. **Preheat Oven**: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2. **Prepare the Oat Mixture**:
– In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
– Beat in the vanilla extract.
– In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
– Press about two-thirds of the oat mixture into the prepared baking pan to form a crust.

3. **Prepare the Chocolate Layer**:
– In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and 1/4 cup of butter, stirring constantly until smooth.
– Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and peanut butter chips (if using).

4. **Assemble the Bars**:
– Pour the chocolate mixture over the oat crust, spreading it evenly.
– Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer.

5. **Bake**:
– Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the chocolate layer is set.

6. **Cool and Cut**:
– Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
– Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper (if used), and cut into squares.

Enjoy your homemade chewy chocolate oat bars!