After talking the other day about how I haven’t been eating so good lately and need to eat more salads, well this is part of the reason why. I can’t help but bake. I love it. If I could bring you guys a cookie, brownie or cake recipe every single day, I would. In fact, I think I’ve only ever made one cake for this blog and it was around Thanksgiving when I was having my family for dinner. Otherwise, how am I going to eat a whole cake? Or a whole batch of cookies? Or a whole tray of brownies? Well don’t tempt me because it can be done! But here is the great thing about these Fudgy Oatmeal Bars: they freeze perfectly so even if you only want one brownie, freeze the rest and forget about them. They’ll always be there when you get that chocolate craving.

Creamy brownie batter is poured over a toasted, light oatmeal crust and topped with even more sprinkles of oatmeal goodness. The result is a cookie-ish brownie that is rich and chewy and begs for a glass of ice cold milk. A little addition of espresso powder melts into the background making the bittersweet chocolate really shine. For a low-calorie brownie, this is mighty tasty. So pour yourself a glass of milk and dig in. Brownies are meant to be enjoyed, not regretted.

Preheat oven to 350°F. To prepare crust, weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Add canola oil and butter; toss with a fork until crumbly. Remove 3/4 cup of oat mixture; set aside.

Press remaining oat mixture into the bottom of an 11 x 7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with baking spray. Bake at 350°F for 13 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly.

To prepare filling, weigh or lightly spoon 3.4 ounces flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl.

Combine milk and espresso granules in a bowl, stirring with a whisk until espresso dissolves. Add 3 tablespoons canola oil, 3 tablespoons butter, vanilla, and eggs to milk mixture, stirring with a whisk. Add milk mixture to flour mixture, stirring to combine. Fold in chocolate.

Spread batter over prepared crust in pan. Sprinkle with reserved 3/4 cup oat mixture.

Bake at 350°F for 32 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs clinging. Cool in pan on a rack.

Cut into 28 bars.

Additions: None

Omissions: None

Substitutions: None

Overall Rating: Love It

Source: Cooking Light magazine