Chewy Chocolate-Oat Bars

 

1/2

cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/3

cup (from 14-oz can) fat-free sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

1

cup Gold Medal® whole wheat flour

1/2

cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats

1/2

teaspoon baking powder

1/2

teaspoon baking soda

1/4

teaspoon salt

3/4

cup packed brown sugar

1/4

cup canola or soybean oil

1

teaspoon vanilla

1/4

cup fat-free egg product

2

tablespoons old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats

2

teaspoons no-trans-fat stick margarine, softened*

• 1 In 1-quart heavy saucepan, heat chocolate chips and milk over low heat, stirring frequently, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth; set aside.
• 2 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with cooking spray.
• 3 In large bowl, mix flour, 1/2 cup oats, the baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In medium bowl, stir brown sugar, oil vanilla and egg product with fork until smooth; stir into flour mixture until blended. Reserve 1/2 cup dough in small bowl for topping.
• 4 Pat remaining dough in pan (if dough is sticky, spray fingers with cooking spray or lightly flour fingers). Spread chocolate mixture over dough. Add 2 tablespoons oats and the butter to reserved dough; mix with pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Drop small spoonfuls of oat mixture evenly over chocolate mixture.
• 5 Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until top is golden and firm. Cool completely, about 1 hour 30 minutes. For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. *Only use margarine with at least 65% vegetable oil.