1cupunsalted butter, softened to room temperature, 2 sticks
1¼cupsbrown sugar
2teaspoonspure vanilla extract
½teaspoonbaking soda
¼teaspoon salt
2cupsall-purpose flour
2cups old-fashioned oats or quick-cooking oats
½cupmini M&M's chocolate candies , or regular M&M's chopped
Instructions
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9 baking pan with non-stick foil, letting ends extend over edges. Or spray with cooking spray.
Creamy Chocolate Filling
Over low heat in a small saucepan, slowly melt chocolate and sweetened condensed milk, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool for 1 minute, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside to cool while you make the dough.
Oatmeal Dough
In the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat softened butter and brown sugar.
Add vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating just until combined. Stir in oatmeal. Mix will be crumbly.
Firmly press 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the pan.
Spread chocolate filling evenly over dough.
With a pastry blender or a fork, mix M&M's baking bits into remaining dough and then sprinkle over the chocolate filling. Lightly press the mixture into the chocolate so it bakes into the bars.
Bake 25-30 minutes until lightly brown. Cool completely. If you used a foil-lined pan, pull the bars out and cut into squares on a cutting board. Otherwise, cut bars in pan. Store in an airtight container.