Winterfresh Fudge Bars Recipes

OATMEAL FUDGE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine 1 cup butter, brown sugar, white sugar, and eggs in a large bowl; mix until smooth.
• Mix flour, baking soda, and oats together in another bowl. Add to the butter mixture slowly; mix using an electric mixer until combined.
• Spread 3/4 the oat mixture into an ungreased 9x13-inch baking pan using a spatula. Press lightly into the bottom of the pan to make the surface even.
• Combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, 1/3 cup butter, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour fudge over the oatmeal base and spread evenly.
• Drop tablespoons of remaining oatmeal mixture over the fudge. Press oatmeal down lightly to flatten and swirl into the fudge.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the top is lightly browned, 25 to 30 minutes; the chocolate should still be moist. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 45 minutes. Cut into squares.

OAXACA FUDGE BARS WITH CASHEW-CRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• For the crust: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9-inch square metal baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• Whisk the flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Stir in melted butter until combined. Set 1 1/4 cups oatmeal mixture aside. Press remaining oatmeal mixture firmly into prepared pan. Bake until light golden brown, about 8 minutes. Cool completely. Stir cashews into the reserved oatmeal mixture.
• For the filling: Whisk the flour, brown sugar, instant espresso powder, cinnamon, chili powder and salt in a medium bowl. Put the chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl; microwave on medium power until chocolate is softened, stopping every 30 seconds to stir. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Whisk in eggs, then stir in flour mixture. Pour filling over cooled crust and sprinkle with reserved oatmeal mixture.
• Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out with few crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature, at least 1 hour. Remove using foil overhang and cut into squares.

FUDGE NUT BARS

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda and salt together. Stir in oats. Add creamed mix to dry ingredients. Stir well and set aside.
• Melt chocolate chips in saucepan. Over low heat, stir in condensed milk, butter and salt. Add walnuts and vanilla. Spread 2/3 of oat mix in 9"x13" pan. Cover with chocolate mix. Dot with remaining oat mix and swirl. (Chocolate will not all be covered.) Bake at 350 degrees for 25 min. until top is browned. Let cool and cut into bars.