Gooey Chocolate Oat Bars

Let's Cook

1. Step 1.

   Beat together in a large bowl: 1 ½ sticks (6 oz or 170g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup (230g) packed brown sugar

2. Step 2.

   Beat in: 1 large egg; 1 large egg yolk; 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

3. Step 3.

   Set aside. Whisk together in a medium bowl: 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour; ¾ teaspoon baking soda; ¾ teaspoon salt

4. Step 4.

   Stir in: 2 ¼ cups (225g) old-fashioned rolled oats

5. Step 5.

   Stir the flour-oat mixture into the butter-sugar mixture until combined. Press two-thirds of the mixture into the prepared pan and set the rest aside. Combine in a medium saucepan and stir over low heat until smooth: 1 ½ cups (255g) semisweet chocolate chips; 1 cup (305g) sweetened condensed milk; 1 ½ tablespoons (25g) unsalted butter; Pinch of salt

6. Step 6.

   Stir in: ¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

7. Step 7.

   Spread the chocolate mixture over the crust, then dot with the remaining flour-oat mixture. If desired, sprinkle with: (½ cup shredded or flaked sweetened coconut)

8. Step 8.

   Bake until set, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a rack before cutting into bars.