Deep Dish Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Deep Dish Oatmeal Fudge Bars

 

Found on Pinterest from the website: ivingbeyondmeasure.com/deep-dish-oatmeal-fudge-bars/

I needed something quick and easy for a Super Bowl 2015 party. So of course, I go to Pinterest!! I've got a bunch of boards (www.pinterest.com/CarrieTatem/), but you always have to look around for new things.  Happily I found this! It looks yummy (and is!), quick and easy. What could be wrong with oatmeal cookies with chocolate fudge in the middle in bar form to make it easy. 

I changed a few things as I went along. I like a bit of spices in my Oatmeal cookies, so I added Cinnamon. I would have added some Nutmeg or Ginger, but I'm working in a new kitchen and haven't restocked my pantry. Feel free to play with and add the spices that you like. You can't go wrong with Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Allspice.... or even a chili. Then I added more Cinnamon to the chocolate mixture as well. So many spices go great with chocolate, especially Cinnamon. Again you can play, but I would mimic the spices from the oatmeal batter.

I also added 1 cup more of the Oats. I like my cookies chock full of oats and this recipe is moist enough to take it. If you don't like the density from the extra Oats, just use the original 3 cups.

Next I used 80% chocolate instead of a standard semi-sweet (usually 50% range). I don't tend to like as much sugar in my desserts as most people. If you do, then use the semi-sweet chocolate. Since the Oatmeal cookie part has enough sugar in it, the less sweet chocolate should be a nice balance. And the Cinnamon and vanilla will add another touch of sweet to the chocolate.

One of the steps that I would change for the next time is that I would melt the condensed milk and chocolate mixture in the microwave instead of on top of the stove. Because there is so much chocolate in the mixture, there is the possibility that the chocolate might burn. Plus, I think it would just be easier.

  Here is my modified recipe. Enjoy!!

 Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 4 cups oatmeal
• 1 tablespoon Cinnamon

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt together (or microwave)

• 1 can eagle’s brand sweetened condensed milk
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 2 cups 80% chocolate

Directions:

• Mix the butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, vanilla and milk. Slowly incorporate the rest of the dry ingredients. Mix well. I prefer using a stand mixer since it’s quite thick.
• Spread 3/4 of the cookie mixture on the bottom of a greased 13×9 pan, pour chocolate mixture, then spread rest of cookie mixture on tops in spoonfuls (won’t cover completely-but will leave cool designs). The top can tend to get done before it’s completely cooked, so you can put aluminum foil over it for the last five or so if it looks like it’s browning too much. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool, otherwise it won’t set up and will just run when you cut into it.

ivingbeyondmeasure.com/deep-dish-oatmeal-fudge-bars/

Brownie Oreo Decadence

OK. So I did something that is out of my norm.  I usually don't go for the trendy, overly sweet, box-mix desserts.  I was trained as a pastry chef (trying to NOT sound snobbish here) and almost always bake from scratch, so the sort of cookie cutter, brand-centric foods that go around are not what I am drawn too. I really never have been, even as a girl. This is true in other areas as well. If it's trendy, I'm outta here! But I LOVE brownies and Oreo Cookies (who doesn't), so how could I resist!!

It started when a friend posted a picture of two Oreo Cookies sandwiched together with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in between then topped with chocolate. OH MY!!! It made my teeth hurt just looking at the picture, but boy did it look yummy! I've seen and/or eaten fried Oreo's, Oreo's inside chocolate chip cookies and other cookies, Oreo pie, Oreo cake, cakes made to look like an giant Oreo, Oreo ice cream, Oreo ice cream sandwiches, etc. America is having a love affair with the Oreo Cookie. If we can figure out how to add an Oreo, it'll be done (Oreo Recipes). Pan Seared Tuna with an Oreo Crust anyone? :D  Then I saw these, except that it was two cookies with two layers of peanut butter.  I think that is a bit too much, but I could do it with one cookie!  Some how this spoke to me.  I think it was the brownie.

So I set out to make them. A friends birthday was being celebrated and she just happens to love the chocolate peanut butter combo. Perfect! I would try them out on her and my other friends that would be joining us for dinner. I would make them for my co-workers too. I bought cute cupcake papers and pretty boxes to put them in for my friends. My co-workers will have to settle for the classic Tupperware container. I don't think that they will mind.

What you will need:

1, One package of Oreo Cookies
     Note: One package of Oreo Cookies (14.3 oz - 405 g) makes 3 dozen brownies.

2. Your favorite brownie recipe (or box-mix if you prefer)
     Note:  My recipe is for a 13 X 9 pan, I doubled it and made 50.

3. One jar of Creamy Peanut Butter


How to make them:

1. Make your Brownie mix as the recipe directs.

2. Scoop some Brownie mix into each Cupcake Paper.
You don't have to use the papers, but it made it very
easy to get out of the pan & they look pretty!

3. Place an Oreo Cookie on top of the brownie mix, push down slightly and twist to help evenly distribute the brownie mix around the sides.

4. Spoon about a tablespoon of Peanut Butter on top of each cookie.

5. Scoop more of the Brownie mix on top of the Peanut Butter, making sure that it fills in around the sides.

6. Bake as your recipe directs, or until still slightly moist in the center but firm.



Tips:

I think this works well for me because I could balance the sweetness of the Oreo with my choice of brownie recipes. My brownies are fudgey and not too sweet. Plus I used Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter, which also helped to balance the sweetness with a pure nutty flavor.

Make sure the Brownie mixture is a little runny, this will help distribute the mixture evenly over the Peanut Butter and Oreo. Pop it into a microwave for 30 seconds to help melt the butter and chocolate a bit. I did this today because it was both cold in the house and my ingredients were cold directly from the fridge. So my mixture was firm. This normally isn't a problem if I'm pouring it all into the 13 X 9 pan. Microwaving it helped to portion and distribute the mixture in the cups. Making it much easier and quicker to use.

I also bought Mint Oreo's. I think this would be tasty. I love mint. Of course, I would not use the Peanut Butter in this case. Be creative add any cookie and filling combo. Here are some suggestions:
     Original Oreo and Raspberry Jam or any Jam of your choice
     Original Oreo and Chocolate Ganash - for real chocolate decadence!!
     Oreo with Banana Split Filling and a Banana Slice
     Oreo with Mint Filling and Andie's Candies
     Oreo with Peanut Butter Filling and Peanut Butter - lots of Peanut Butter!!
     Oreo with Peanut Butter Filling and Chocolate Ganash
     Just pick your favorite Oreo Cookie and add another flavor if you like.

And ENJOY!!!


**** Don't worry, I haven't taken a complete nose-dive off the health wagon. I just think that a little dessert never hurt anyone!