Best Americas Test Kitchen Oatmeal Fudge Bars Recipes

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AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN OATMEAL FUDGE BARS



America's Test Kitchen Oatmeal Fudge Bars image

These are delicious! Recipe courtesy of The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book. You can use old-fashioned rolled oats, but the bars will be more chewy. Make sure you cool the crust before you add the filling.

Provided by AmyZoe

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 1h15m

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons instant espresso or 2 teaspoons instant coffee
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large egg

Steps:

  • For the crust and topping: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with a foil sling and grease the foil.
  • Whisk the oats, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
  • Stir in the melted butter until combined.
  • Reserve 3/4 cup of the oat mixture for the topping.
  • Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer with the bottom of a measuring cup.
  • Bake the crust until light golden brown, about 8 minutes.
  • Let the crust cool completely on a wire rack, about 1 hour.
  • For the filling: Whisk the flour, sugar, instant espresso, and salt together in a medium bowl.
  • Melt the chocolate chips and butter together in a microwave, stirring often, 1 to 3 minutes.
  • Transfer the chocolate mixture to a large bowl and let cool slightly.
  • Whisk in the egg until combined.
  • Stir in the flour mixture until just incorporated.
  • Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 325 degrees.
  • Spread the filling evenly over the cooled crust and smooth the top.
  • Sprinkle with the reserved oat topping.
  • Bake the bars until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached and the filling begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking.
  • Let the bars cool completely in the pan, set on a wire rack, about 2 hours.
  • Remove the bars from the pan using the foil, cut into squares, and serve.

OATMEAL FUDGE BARS



Oatmeal Fudge Bars image

Crispy top, with an ooey, gooey, chocolaty fudge center. I hope that this turns out as well for you as it does for me! I place a large piece of aluminum foil or a cookie sheet under my 9x13-inch pan, as it can sometimes get a little bit of overflow. Worth the little bit of mess!

Provided by JenLee

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Oatmeal Cookie Recipes

Time 1h37m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups rolled oats
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
⅓ cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Combine 1 cup butter, brown sugar, white sugar, and eggs in a large bowl; mix until smooth.
  • Mix flour, baking soda, and oats together in another bowl. Add to the butter mixture slowly; mix using an electric mixer until combined.
  • Spread 3/4 the oat mixture into an ungreased 9x13-inch baking pan using a spatula. Press lightly into the bottom of the pan to make the surface even.
  • Combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, 1/3 cup butter, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour fudge over the oatmeal base and spread evenly.
  • Drop tablespoons of remaining oatmeal mixture over the fudge. Press oatmeal down lightly to flatten and swirl into the fudge.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the top is lightly browned, 25 to 30 minutes; the chocolate should still be moist. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 45 minutes. Cut into squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 348.3 calories, Carbohydrate 48 g, Cholesterol 46.9 mg, Fat 16.7 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 4.6 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 152 mg, Sugar 32 g

FUDGY OATMEAL BARS



Fudgy Oatmeal Bars image

I received this recipe from my sister-in-law, and it's been a big hit with our family. My husband and I are wheat and cattle farmers and we have three children.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield about 6 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups quick-cooking oats or rolled oats
FILLING:
2 tablespoons butter
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and eggs. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats by hand. Press two-thirds of mixture into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. , For filling, heat butter, milk and chocolate chips in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat; stir in the nuts, vanilla and salt. Spread over oat mixture in pan. , Drop reserved oat mixture by teaspoonfuls onto filling. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. Cut into bars while warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 130 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 91mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

America's Test Kitchen Oatmeal Fudge Bars Recipes: A Delicious Treat to Indulge in

Who can resist the combination of oats, chocolate, and buttery goodness all packed in one sweet treat? Whether it's for breakfast, snack time, or dessert, oatmeal fudge bars are a classic choice that's always a crowd-pleaser.

America's Test Kitchen, a popular cooking show that focuses on testing and perfecting recipes, has shared its version of the oatmeal fudge bars recipe. This recipe has been tried and tested over and over again until they arrive at the best final formula. It's not just the perfect balance between the chewy oat crust and the gooey chocolate filling that makes this recipe stand out, but also the careful attention to the ingredients and the baking techniques used.

What Makes America's Test Kitchen Oatmeal Fudge Bars Recipe Unique?

One of the reasons why America's Test Kitchen Oatmeal Fudge Bars Recipe stands out is because of their commitment to testing and improving traditional recipes. With their experienced chefs, meticulous testing process, and scientific approach to cooking, they're able to identify the potential issues of a recipe (like too much sugar, too little flour, too much baking powder, etc.) and optimize it for better taste, texture, and consistency. Naturally, their recipes, including the oatmeal fudge bars, involve a lot of steps and require specific equipment, but the result is always worth the effort.

For example, for the oatmeal crust, they recommend processing quick-cooking oats in a food processor until finely ground. This step helps the oats to bind to the rest of the ingredients better, resulting in a stronger and more cohesive crust. They also use a combination of butter and vegetable shortening instead of just butter, which gives the crust a better texture and prevents it from becoming too greasy or crumbly.

As for the chocolate filling, they suggest using a combination of sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips instead of just chocolate chips. The sweetened condensed milk acts as a binder and gives the filling a creamier texture. Another key to making the perfect fudge filling is to simmer it over low heat while stirring constantly, which helps to melt the ingredients evenly and prevent scorching.

How to Make America's Test Kitchen Oatmeal Fudge Bars?

Note: This recipe makes 16-20 bars

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/4 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 F. Grease an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Pulse the oats in a food processor until finely ground. Add the oat flour to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix well.
  4. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, shortening, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
  5. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
  6. With the mixer still on low, gradually add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix until well combined.
  7. Reserve 1 1/4 cups of the crust mixture and set it aside. Press the rest of the dough into the prepared pan, making sure to spread it evenly and press it firmly into the bottom of the pan.
  8. In a medium saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is uniform.
  9. Pour the chocolate filling over the oat crust and spread it evenly with a spatula. Crumble the reserved crust mixture over the top of the chocolate filling.
  10. Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.
Final Thoughts

America's Test Kitchen Oatmeal Fudge Bars Recipe is an ultimate treat for anyone with a sweet tooth. Though it requires a bit of time and effort, the result of this recipe will surely satisfy your taste buds. By following their tips and methods, you’ll enjoy the chewiness of the oats mixed with the gooeyness of the chocolate, making it a heavenly combination. Try making these bars today, and you'll surely get hooked!

Oatmeal fudge bars are delicious and make for a perfect sweet treat. If you are looking for a recipe, the America's Test Kitchen oatmeal fudge bars recipe is a great one to try. However, before you start baking, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind.

Tip #1: Use quality ingredients

The quality of your ingredients will affect the overall taste of your oatmeal fudge bars. Therefore, it is important to use high-quality ingredients. For example, use high-quality chocolate for your fudge filling and use fresh, high-quality oats in your oatmeal crust.

Tip #2: Measure accurately

Measuring ingredients accurately is critical for baking success. Inaccurate measurements can result in a final product that is too dry or too moist. Therefore, make sure to measure your ingredients accurately using a kitchen scale or measuring cups and teaspoons.

Tip #3: Chill your dough

After mixing your oatmeal crust dough, it is important to chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough will make it easier to spread and work with. Additionally, it will help prevent your crust from puffing up during baking.

Tip #4: Press your crust firmly

When pressing your oatmeal crust into the pan, make sure to press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan. This will ensure that the crust bakes evenly and holds together when you cut your bars.

Tip #5: Use a double boiler to melt your chocolate

When making the fudge filling for your oatmeal fudge bars, it is important to use a double boiler to melt your chocolate. This will prevent the chocolate from burning and becoming lumpy. Alternatively, you can also melt your chocolate in the microwave in short 20-30 second intervals, stirring in between each interval until melted.

Tip #6: Use a rubber spatula to spread your fudge

When spreading your fudge filling onto your oatmeal crust, use a rubber spatula to spread it evenly. This will prevent the fudge from clumping or becoming uneven.

Tip #7: Cool your bars completely before cutting

After baking your oatmeal fudge bars, let them cool completely before cutting into them. Cutting into warm bars can cause them to fall apart and become messy. Additionally, letting them cool completely will allow the fudge filling to firm up and hold together.

Tip #8: Store your bars properly

To store your oatmeal fudge bars, place them in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Conclusion

Now that you have some valuable tips for making America's Test Kitchen oatmeal fudge bars, you can start baking with confidence. Remember to use quality ingredients, measure accurately, chill your dough, press your crust firmly, use a double boiler to melt your chocolate, use a rubber spatula to spread your fudge, cool your bars completely before cutting, and store your bars properly. With these tips in mind, you are sure to create delicious and perfectly baked oatmeal fudge bars.

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