Anna's Bars (I don't know her, but I love her bars!)

   Is it weird that my family has had this recipe forever and we don't know who this Anna is?  I guess not really, I mean, who is the real Betty Crocker?
  My mom, grandma, aunts and sisters have all made these bars at one time or another and they are pretty much to die for.  For some reason, I usually only make them around Christmas time (who knows why, there are just some recipes you make for certain occasions, you know?), but I decided to break tradition and whip them up for Easter.  I was to bring a dessert for an early dinner (because you're so hungry after eating a big Easter meal, right?)  Sweet Condensed Milk was on sale at the grocery store, so that was my sign to make them.  The directions are as follows.  Get crackin'!
By: Laura

Begin with some butter and brown sugar.  Cream it up.

Add some flour and oatmeal.

Give the empty oatmeal container to your child , who will find it truly fascinating. 

Smile and laugh for a moment as you watch him or her interact with the oatmeal.  

Get back to business and pat down 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of a greased jelly roll pan.

Look at that beautiful patting action.  (I use a wet fork to do the job.)

Start on the choc-o-lot topping.  (yep, more butter)

Microwave the above ingredients until well blended.

Top the chocolate with the remaining oatmeal mixture and bake to moist, delicious perfection.

Anna's Bars

Recipe courtesy of Mom

1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 t. vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

2 t. baking soda

2 t. salt

3 cups oatmeal

Cream the butter, sugar and eggs until well blended.  Add the vanilla as well as the dry ingredients.  Pat 2/3 of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of a greased jelly roll pan.  Cover with the chocolate topping:

1 package semi sweet chocolate chips

1 can sweet condensed milk

2 T. butter

1/2 t. salt

2 t. vanilla

For the topping, combine all the ingredients in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat for one minute and stir until well blended. Continue to heat in the microwave until the topping is smooth and rich.  Spread onto oatmeal mixture.  Dot with 1/3 of the remaining oatmeal mixture.  

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes

NOTE:  These are best right out of the oven.  Once they are cooled, though, you can freeze them and then microwave them for 10 - 15 seconds for that right out of the oven gooeyness.