CHOCOLATE OAT SQUARES

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened, divided

2 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided (I like it better using imitation vanilla, but to each her own)

3 cups quick-cooking oats

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp salt, divided

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 cups (12 oz bag) semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts, optional

In mixing bowl, cream 1 cup butter and the brown sugar.  Beat in eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla.  Combine the oats, flour, 1 teaspoon salt and the baking soda; stir into creamed mixture.  Press 2/3 of this oat mixture into a greased 15 x 10 inch baking pan.  In a saucepan, combine milk, chocolate chips and remaining butter and salt.  Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted.  Remove from the heat; stir in walnuts, if desired, and remaining vanilla (I always do this step in the microwave instead).  Spread over crust.  Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture.  It’s very messy and ‘sprinkle’ is probably not the right word—‘smoosh’ might be more accurate.  Lick your fingers when you’re done.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Yield: about 4 dozen.  These are a big hit with people who aren’t afraid of oatmeal or nuts.  Great for a potluck—makes a bunch.