Revel in Goodness

Today I’d like to share a recipe that was a favorite in my family when I was growing up…and is now favored by my own family!  To describe a Chocolate Revel Bar would be to compare a soft, oatmeal cookie that is submerged in chocolate fudge!  They don’t always look like the best dessert on a buffet…but once someone tries them and says “YUM!”–they’ll be gone shortly thereafter!  And I have a cute story to share about this tried-and-true dessert.  For years I’ve made a pan to package up for the bake sale at our Elementary School…and every year my husband goes and buys them all back!  It just started to be our family tradition.  I often thought I should just make a donation rather than bake all these bars only to pay to get them back…but it turned out that it was a surefire way my husband would be able to indulge on his favorite sweet that apparently I don’t make enough at home!  But the fact that he would go out of his way to get them back was really sweet and a testament to how mouth-watering good they really are!  So my plan is to make this delicious treat much more often!  And though it makes more than enough for just the four of us, I’ve decided I can freeze half so we always have some of the best bar-cookies ever within reach!  I’ll have the recipe at the end of the post…and you’ll be sure to want to print this one off.  Maybe you can start your own family tradition with this chocolaty treat!

can’t get enough of those revel bars!

i’m not sure exactly where this recipe originated but this gooey dessert is one your guests will go crazy for…and it’s really easy to make!  so grab your mixer and give this one a whirl!  cream 1 cup  softened butter, 2 eggs, 2 t vanilla, and the dry ingredients:  2 C brown sugar, 2 1/2 C flour, 2 t soda, & 2 1/2 C quick oats.  (the printable recipe will be at the end of the post)

once you add all the oats the dough will be pretty stiff.  remove the bowl and use a wooden spoon or spatula to fold in any unmixed oats from the bottom of the bowl.

press 2/3 of the dough into a 9 x 13 pan misted lightly with canola spray…then set the pan and remaining dough aside while you make the chocolate filling.

in a double boiler add 2 T butter, 2 t vanilla, 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, & 12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips…

i like to use a double boiler so i don’t over heat the chocolate, but you can melt the mixture in a microwave too…just check and stir it often so the mix doesn’t seize up.  you want it to be like thick fudge sauce with all the chocolate bits dissolved completely…

then pour the mixture over the cookie crust…

and spread it into an even-ish layer over the top…oh, and don’t forget to lick the pan, spatula, or anything other utensil that was in that wonderful fudge!

use the remaining dough to “dot” the top of the chocolate layer…i like to take a blob and slightly flatten it before setting it on top of the chocolate.  fill in the big gaps with smaller pieces of dough until it is covered but with the chocolate showing through…

bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden.  i always set my timer for the shortest time on a recipe.  you can always put it back in for a minute or two but you can’t un-overcook it….that’s a true baking term, right?  this old timer actually belonged to my grandpa and it’s still ticking…i just LOVE it!

once it’s nice and golden brown, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely before cutting it or you’ll have a sticky mess!

since i baked these yesterday, and it was the last day of school for my boys…a paper & straw banner was in order!

if you have a special occasion it’s so easy to print off a simple message a make a fun pennant for any treat!  the last day of school is certainly a reason to celebrate–for some!

just look at the ooey gooey goodness…

these will get gobbled up…the rest of the pan goes in the freezer so we can revel in chocolate bars once again!

chocolate revel bars…YUM!

check out the crafty blog stalker for more creative fun!