Christmas Treats Day 3: Fudge Nut Layer Bars

This bar cookie makes a yummy addition to any platter of Christmas or holiday sweets. 

Filling:

            1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

            ½ cup sweet and condensed milk

1 tablespoon butter

            ¼ teaspoon salt

            ¾ cup chopped walnuts

            1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crust:

            ½ cup butter

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1¼ cups flour

½ teaspoon soda

1 egg

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1½ cups quick cooking rolled oats

In medium saucepan, combine chocolate chips, sweet and condensed milk, butter, and salt over low heat, stirring constantly until chips melt.  Stir in ½ cup walnuts and vanilla.  Set aside.  In large bowl, combine ingredients for crust.  Blend until mixture is coarse.  Press half of mixture into 9” square pan.  Spread chocolate filling over base.  Sprinkle remaining nuts and crust over filling.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

 (Note: Double recipe makes 36 bars in a 9X13 pan.)