Crunchy Brownie Bars

Emily C's Note:

Crunchy oatmeal layer, rich brownie layer, even richer icing layer. Oh yeah, it's good!!! These freeze well, are insane when warm and served with vanilla ice cream, and the recipe CAN easily be doubled to fit a 9x13.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 9x9 pan

Oatmeal layer

• ½ cup flour
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup quick-cooking oat
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup butter , melted

Brownie layer

• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1⁄3; cup cocoa
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Frosting layer

• 1 unsweetened chocolate square (1 oz)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons hot water

Directions:

1. Crunchy layer:.
2. Combine all ingredients and pat mixture into bottom of ungreased 9x9 pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
3. Brownie layer:.
4. Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in cocoa and remove from heat. Beat eggs & sugar together until thick and lemon colored. Add vanilla and chocolate mixture. Beat well. Stir in flour, salt, & nuts. Pour on top of crunchy layer. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.
5. Frosting layer:.
6. Prepare frosting when brownies are cool. In saucepan, melt chocolate and butter. Remove from heat & immediately add all other ingredients (add more water if necessary to make of pourable consistency). Beat until smooth. Spread over brownies while frosting is still hot. Let sit until firm. Cut into bars.
7. VERY RICH, so make the bars small!
8. Time to make is an estimate.