A cousin of the renowned Seven-layer Bar, these delectable treats appear suspiciously unhealthy at first glance, and even more so upon first taste. But whole grains, fat free sweetened condensed milk, and a limited amount of sweet butter make for not-so-guilty snacking. You can substitute chocolate or peanut butter morsels for the butterscotch if you wish, but I think the butterscotch are far superior here (and I'm a choco-peanut-butter-holic, so my vote counts for a lot). These are fabulous alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea, and become fresh-from-the-oven melty all over again if you reheat them for 30 seconds in the microwave. Delish!
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
2-1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup fat free sweetened condensed milk
1-1/4 cups butterscotch morsels
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9" x 13" pan with cooking spray, or coat lightly with butter.
Combine sugar and melted butter in a large mixing bowl, and stir until thoroughly blended. Stir in vanilla and egg.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flours, salt, and baking soda. Stir in the oats. Add the dry mixture to the sugar mixture about a cupful at a time, stirring well after each addition. The mixture will be crumbly. Scoop about 3 cups of the dough into the pan, and press evenly with the palm of your hand to form the bottom crust.
In a microwaveable bowl, stir together the condensed milk and butterscotch morsels. Microwave on high 1 minute or so, stirring every 20 seconds, until morsels are melted and fully incorporated into the condensed milk. Immediately, pour over the bottom crust, using a spoon or spatula to spread the filling evenly, all the way to the sides of the pan.
Top with the remaining dough mixture, and pat gently, pressing the dough slightly into the butterscotch mixture.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack. To ease removal later, run the blade of a knife around the sides of the pan. Cool completely, and cut into bars. Makes 18 bars.
Harmony A. Watts
www.harmonywatts.blogspot.com <http://www.harmonywatts.blogspot.com>
www.beyondtoast.blogspot.com <http://www.beyondtoast.blogspot.com>
Conversation starter: If you could make up your own bar cookie, what would it have in it?
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