Four Nights A Week

This recipe comes from the 1963 (!) Pillsbury Bake-off, the 60s version of the Great British Baking Show. I baked these so often that my Girl Scout leader used to call them Amy Puglisi’s. While not taking credit for their origin, they’ve been a family favorite, especially with the tweak described below.

Since there never seems to be a good use for a partial can of Sweetened Condensed Milk, it seemed economical to make TWICE the chocolate filling and pile that on top of the short crust. Twice the chocolate? No one will argue with that, right?

Melt over boiling water (or use your microwave):

• 1 6-oz package semi-sweet chocolate bits*
• 1/2 c sweetened condensed milk
• 1 TBSP butter
• 1/4 tsp salt

Remove from heat and add:

• 1/2 c chopped nuts
• 1 tsp vanilla

Sift together 1-1/4 c flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside.

Cream 1/2 C butter with 1 C firmly packed brown sugar

Add 1 unbeaten egg and 1 tsp vanilla. Blend well.

Stir in the dry ingredient plus 1/2 C quick cooking oatmeal.

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Press 2/3 of this mixture into a greased 9×9 inch pan. Spread chocolate filling on top and the crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture over the chocolate. Sprinkle with 1/4 c walnuts (or skip this if you want).

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes. Cut into rectangular or square bars.