Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars

Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars Recipe | USA

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 25 minutes | Servings: 24 bars

Introduction

These Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and indulgent treat that are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. The combination of rich chocolate filling and crunchy walnuts in a chewy oatmeal base is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

History

The recipe for Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars has been a favorite in many households for years. It is a classic dessert that is often made for special occasions or as a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter or margarine
2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
0.5 tsp powdered instant coffee (optional)
3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
2.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
0.5 tsp salt
1.5 cups chopped walnuts, divided

Chocolate filling

0.5 cup (1 stick) softened butter or margarine
0.67 cup Hershey's cocoa
0.25 cup sugar
1 can (14 oz (397 g)) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
1.5 tsp vanilla extract

How to prepare

Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until well blended.
Add the eggs, vanilla, and instant coffee (if desired); beat until fluffy.
Stir together the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 cup of walnuts; gradually stir into the butter mixture with a spoon.
Set aside 2 cups of the dough.
Press the remaining dough evenly onto the bottom of an ungreased 15.5x10.5x1 inch jelly roll pan.
Prepare the filling and spread it evenly over the dough.
Crumble the reserved dough evenly over the filling.
Sprinkle with the remaining 0.5 cup of walnuts.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown (the chocolate will be soft).
Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then cut into bars.

Chocolate filling

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.
Stir in the cocoa and sugar.
Add the sweetened condensed milk and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and thick.
Remove from heat.
Stir in the vanilla.

Variations

Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the bars before baking for a sweet and salty flavor combination.
Substitute the walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
Drizzle melted chocolate on top of the bars for an extra decadent touch.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to cool the bars completely before cutting them into squares to ensure they hold their shape.

- For a more intense coffee flavor, you can increase the amount of powdered instant coffee in the main part of the recipe.

- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars as a dessert or snack with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making these bars is to evenly spread the dough in the pan and to carefully layer the chocolate filling and crumbled dough on top.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have instant coffee, you can omit it from the recipe. You can also use regular rolled oats instead of quick-cooking oats.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the bars ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Presentation Ideas

Cut the bars into squares and arrange them on a serving platter for a beautiful presentation. You can also dust them with powdered sugar for a decorative touch.

Pairing Recommendations

Serve these Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special treat.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To reheat, simply microwave them for a few seconds until warm.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars contains approximately 250 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars contains approximately 35 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars contains approximately 12 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars contains approximately 5 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars are a good source of iron and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (butter, eggs, evaporated milk) and nuts (walnuts). It may also contain gluten depending on the type of oats and flour used.

Summary

Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars are a delicious treat that are relatively high in carbohydrates and fats, but also provide a good amount of protein and essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and indulgent dessert that are perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings. With a chewy oatmeal base, rich chocolate filling, and crunchy walnuts, these bars are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Enjoy them as a sweet treat with a cup of coffee or tea, or serve them as a dessert at your next gathering.

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of finding this recipe for the first time brings a smile to my face. It was a sunny afternoon in the early 1960s, and I was visiting my dear friend Martha for a cup of tea. As we chatted in her cozy kitchen, she pulled out an old, worn recipe card from a drawer and handed it to me with a twinkle in her eye.

"Darling, you simply must try these Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars," she exclaimed. "They are simply divine!"

I eagerly scanned the ingredients and instructions, my mouth watering at the thought of the sweet and nutty treat. Martha had acquired the recipe from her own grandmother, who had passed it down through the generations. As I read through the card, I could almost picture Martha's grandmother in her own kitchen, carefully measuring out the ingredients and mixing them together with love.

I decided then and there that I had to make these bars for myself. Martha kindly shared the recipe with me, and I hurried home to gather the necessary ingredients. I could hardly contain my excitement as I preheated the oven and began to mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter for the crust.

As the bars baked in the oven, the rich and decadent smell of chocolate filled my kitchen, making my stomach growl in anticipation. I carefully watched the timer, counting down the minutes until I could sink my teeth into the warm and gooey bars.

Finally, the timer dinged, and I eagerly pulled the pan out of the oven. The bars were perfectly golden brown, with a layer of gooey chocolate peeking out from beneath the crispy oatmeal crust. I let them cool for a few minutes before cutting them into squares and taking my first bite.

The taste was even better than I had imagined. The buttery oatmeal crust paired perfectly with the rich and creamy chocolate filling, while the walnuts added a satisfying crunch. I closed my eyes and savored each bite, feeling a sense of nostalgia and warmth wash over me.

From that moment on, Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars became a staple in my baking repertoire. I would make them for family gatherings, potlucks, and special occasions, always receiving rave reviews from friends and loved ones. Each time I made them, I would think of Martha and her grandmother, grateful for the gift of this delicious recipe.

Over the years, I have tweaked the recipe slightly, adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top for an extra burst of flavor or swapping out the walnuts for pecans. But no matter how I choose to customize the bars, the memories of that sunny afternoon in Martha's kitchen will always remain close to my heart.

As I sit here now, surrounded by my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I am filled with joy knowing that I have passed down this treasured recipe to future generations. I hope that they will continue to make these Chocolate-filled Walnut-Oatmeal Bars with love and care, creating their own memories and traditions along the way.

And as I take a bite of a freshly baked bar, I can't help but smile at the thought of Martha and her grandmother, knowing that their legacy lives on in each delicious bite.