Chocolate Filled Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup margarine
• 2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon powdered instant coffee
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Chocolate filling

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 2/3 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a jelly roll pan (10x15 or so).

2. 2

   In large mixer bowl cream margarine and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla and instant coffee.

3. 3

   Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture.

4. 4

   Batter will be stiff, stir in last part by hand, if necessary.

5. 5

   Reserve approximately 2 cups dough. Press remainder evenly over bottom of jelly roll pan.

6. 6

   Prepare chocolate filling:.

7. 7

   Melt margarine in medium saucepan over low heat.

8. 8

   Stir in cocoa and sugar.

9. 9

   Add sweetened condensed milk.

10. 10

    Cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and thick.

11. 11

    Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

12. 12

    Spread filling over oatmeal mixture in pan. Sprinkle reserved oatmeal mixture over chocolate.

13. 13

    Bake 25 minutes or until top is golden brown. Chocolate will stay soft.