Chocolatey Oat Bars

My kiddos love these ooey gooey oatmeal bars.  I love the chocolate on top!  *wink*

Chocolatey Oat Bars

1/2 c. butter, softened
1  c. light brown sugar, packed
1 egg, beaten
4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. quick-cooking oats, uncooked

Topping:
12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 c. butter
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine butter, milk, choc. chips, vanilla and salt in a saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stir constantly as not to scorch, until chocolate is melted.

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Blend together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl.  Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir flour, salt and baking soda in a separate bowl.  Add to the butter mixture.  Add oats and stir.  Press into a greased 13x9 baking pan.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Add the topping and bake another 10 - 15 minutes.  Let it cool completely and slice into bars.  Makes 2 dozen.

*Note:  You may find the topping to be too much chocolate for one pan of bars (Not me, though...I can never have too much chocolate!).  In this case make a double batch of the bar and split the topping between the two.