Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars with Browned Butter
Chewy oatmeal bars loaded with chocolate chips and rich browned butter. Easy one-bowl recipe perfect for potlucks and gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups butter for browning
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Brown the Butter:
- Place butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally as it melts and foams.
- Watch carefully as butter turns golden brown with fragrant brown bits at the bottom (5-7 minutes).
- Remove from heat immediately and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Prepare and Mix:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until evenly distributed.
- Pour cooled browned butter into dry ingredients. Add vanilla extract and eggs. Stir until just combined.
- Fold in milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Bake:
- Spread mixture evenly in prepared pan, pressing down firmly with back of a spoon.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until edges are golden and center looks set.
- Let bars cool completely in pan (about 1 hour). Use parchment overhang to lift out and cut into squares.
Notes
Pro Tips: Use a light-colored pan to brown butter so you can see the color change. Dark pans make it difficult to judge.
Don't overmix once wet ingredients are added. Stirring too much can make bars tough.
Press mixture firmly into pan to ensure bars hold together when cut.
Wipe knife blade between cuts for clean edges. Storage: Room temperature: Store in airtight container for up to 5 days
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months Variations: Add 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts with chocolate chips
Replace half the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips
Swirl peanut butter on top before baking
Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries Make Ahead: Bars can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored at room temperature
Don't overmix once wet ingredients are added. Stirring too much can make bars tough.
Press mixture firmly into pan to ensure bars hold together when cut.
Wipe knife blade between cuts for clean edges. Storage: Room temperature: Store in airtight container for up to 5 days
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months Variations: Add 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts with chocolate chips
Replace half the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips
Swirl peanut butter on top before baking
Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries Make Ahead: Bars can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored at room temperature
