Chewy Chocolate-Oat Bars

 

3/4

cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/3

cup (from 14-oz can) fat-free sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)

1

cup Gold Medal® whole wheat flour

1/2

cup quick-cooking oats

1/2

teaspoon baking powder

1/2

teaspoon baking soda

1/4

teaspoon salt

1

egg

3/4

cup packed brown sugar

1/4

cup canola or vegetable oil

1

teaspoon vanilla

2

tablespoons quick-cooking oats

2

teaspoons butter or margarine, softened

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8- or 9-inch square pan with cooking spray.
• 2 In 1-quart heavy saucepan, heat filling ingredients over low heat, stirring frequently, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
• 3 In large bowl, stir together flour, 1/2 cup oats, the baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In medium bowl, stir egg, brown sugar, oil and vanilla with fork until smooth; stir into flour mixture until blended. Reserve 1/2 cup dough in small bowl for topping.
• 4 Pat remaining dough in pan (if dough is sticky, spray fingers with cooking spray or dust with flour). Spread filling over dough. Add 2 tablespoons oats and the butter to reserved dough. Mix with pastry blender or fork until well mixed. Place small pieces of mixture evenly over filling.
• 5 Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until top is golden and firm. Cool completely, about 1 hour 30 minutes. For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.