Oatmeal Brownies

 

3

cups old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats

3/4

cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour

3/4

cup packed brown sugar

1/2

teaspoon baking soda

1/2

cup margarine or butter, melted

1

package (1 lb 6.5 oz) supreme brownie mix with pouch of chocolate flavor syrup

1/3

cup water

1/3

cup canola oil

2

or 3 eggs

1/2

cup chopped nuts, if desired

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray.
• 2 In medium bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar and baking soda; stir in butter. Reserve 1 cup of the oat mixture. Press remaining oat mixture in pan. Bake 10 minutes; cool 5 minutes.
• 3 In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, chocolate syrup, water, oil and 2 eggs for fudgelike brownies (or 3 eggs for cakelike brownies) until well blended. Stir in nuts. Spread over baked layer; sprinkle with reserved oat mixture.
• 4 Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 2 hours. For brownies, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. Store tightly covered.