Chocolate Oatmeal Almost-Candy Bars

Chocolate Oatmeal Almost-Candy Bars (Adapted from Baking From My Home To Yours)

For the bottom and top layers

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
16 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

For the fudge layer

14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chunks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup plump golden raisins
3/4 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

To make the bottom and top layers

Preheat oven to 350

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In a large mixing bowl, add butter and beat until creamy. Add sugar and beat together for 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each. Mix in vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix just until combined. Add rolled oats and nuts - use a sturdy wooden spoon to incorporate them. Set aside a scant 2 cups of this mixture.

Scoop the remaining mixture into a 9" x 13" baking pan coated with nonstick spray - press the dough over the bottom of the pan to form an even layer. If you find this too sticky, lay a sheet of plastic wrap on top to help you move the dough around.

To make the fudge layer

In a heat-safe bowl set over simmering water, add condensed milk, chocolate, butter and salt. Stir the mixture together until the chocolate and butter melt into the milk creating a thick and smooth mixture. Remove the bowl from the water and mix in vanilla, raisins and peanuts. Pour this warm mixture over the unbaked oatmeal base and use an off-set spatula to spread it to an even layer. Drop small dollops of the oatmeal mixture that you set aside earlier - don't try to make it one smooth layer, just drop it randomly over the chocolate mixture until it is all used up.

Place in the oven and bake until the topping is golden and the fudge layer begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and set on a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into bars.

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