At a recent “family reunion” in Walker, MN, Dee Wentworth (a family friend since 1956!) brought a pan of these chocolate bars. But to call them mere chocolate bars doesn’t begin to talk about how fantastic they are. One person after another around the room tasted them and said, “WOW, these are amazing!”
I realized the reason they were so good when Dee told me the recipe – it includes cooked oatmeal!! It gives it such an unusual, delicious texture, compared to the flour you usually use to make bars out of. Plus they’re filled with chocolate, and that’s never bad. 😉
1 c old-fashioned oats (not instant)
1 3/4 c boiling water
1 stick butter (8 T), cut in pieces
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar, lightly packed
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 3/4 c flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
3 rounded T unsweetened cocoa
1 12-oz pkg chocolate chips
3/4 c coarsely chopped pecans
In a large bowl, combine oats and butter. Pour boiling water on top and stir to combine. Let stand 10 minutes. Combine dry ingredients (not chips or nuts) in a separate bowl.
Add sugars and eggs to oats and stir. Stir in dry ingredients, then half the chocolate chips.
Pour mixture into a greased 9×13-inch pan. Sprinkle the rest of the chips and all the nuts over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Makes 24 squares.