Oatmeal Fudge Bars Recipe
Delicious and chewy Oatmeal Fudge Bars featuring a buttery oatmeal cookie base layered with rich, smooth chocolate fudge, perfect as a decadent dessert or sweet snack.
- Author: Jeannette
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Oatmeal Layers
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 and 1/3 cups old-fashioned oats
Chocolate Fudge
- 1 and 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or 50–70% dark chocolate
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (one 14-oz can)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal, or use aluminum foil lightly greased.
- Make Oatmeal Cookie Layer: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking until combined. Fold in the all-purpose flour, salt, and cinnamon, followed by the old-fashioned oats until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Layer Oatmeal Mixture: Spoon about three-quarters of the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly to form the bottom cookie layer. Reserve the remaining oatmeal mixture (approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup) for topping.
- Prepare Chocolate Fudge: Fill a medium saucepan with about 1/2 inch of water and bring it to a low-medium heat. Place a large glass bowl on top of the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Add the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and unsalted butter into the bowl. Stir gently as the mixture melts until smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat once melted.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the smooth chocolate fudge evenly over the oatmeal cookie layer in the baking pan. Using tablespoons, drop the reserved oatmeal mixture over the top so some chocolate fudge remains visible.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. The oatmeal pieces on top should appear set but not overly browned. Baking longer will yield crispier bars, while this timing keeps them chewy.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool fully, about 3 hours, so they set properly. Use the parchment paper or foil overhang to lift the bars out of the pan, then transfer to a cutting board. Slice into bars with a sharp knife and serve.
Notes
- Do not substitute sweetened condensed milk with evaporated milk as it will affect the fudge consistency.
- For best results, fully cool the bars before slicing to ensure clean, neat pieces.
- You can store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips depending on your preferred chocolate intensity.
- If you prefer crispier bars, bake an additional 5 minutes but note the texture will be less chewy.
Keywords: oatmeal fudge bars, chocolate fudge bars, chewy oatmeal bars, chocolate dessert bars, easy baking recipe