Wanda Bars (Double Chocolate Oreo Bars)

Messy44's Note:

These are so easy - a little bit of chocolate heaven. I have been making these for over 10 years and have been asked more for this recipe than any other. They are named for a woman that gave a friend the recipe - we never knew Wanda but we love her for sharing this one. One reviewer has suggested I rename these "Chocolate Insanity Bars." :) * Some have had trouble with them being gooey - my advice is to use national brand name condensed milk, not store brand, as it tends to be thicker. Also, keep them refrigerated or in a cooler. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 24

Yield: 24.0 bars

• 16 ounces Oreo cookies
• 3/4 cup margarine, melted
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (Borden, Carnation)
• 12 ounces mini chocolate chips, divided

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place cookies in large bowl and crush into small pieces with a small mallet, or place them in a zip bag and crush with a rolling pin, then place in large bowl. Stop when pieces are smaller than a dime but not yet crumbs.
3. Pour melted margarine over cookies in bowl and mix until all cookie pieces are well coated. Press in bottom of ungreased 9x13 baking pan.
4. Place sweetened condensed milk and 1 cup of the mini chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat until melted together (30 seconds at a time with stirring in between until smooth). Pour over cookie crust. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over top.
5. Bake 10 minutes.
6. Cool in refrigerator at least 2 hours before cutting.

Reviews

[Ginny Potter]

With a great name like "Wanda Bars," I just had to make these (my mom's name is Wanda). They are excellent (rave reviews & recipe requests from those who had them)! They are very rich, so a small piece satisfies the sweet tooth. I used the entire package of regular Oreos for the crust and used the amount of sweetened condensed milk that the original recipe called for. I had a few caramel chips left over from something else, so I sprinkled those on the top with the chocolate chips. The recipe is so easy that it lends itself to altering it. Mint oreos would make a great crust, too. Using M&Ms or drizzling white chocolate on top would add a nice touch of color. Next time, I'm going to try making "A Turtle Called Wanda" bars by adding chopped pecans and drizzling melted caramel on top. So many possibilities! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!

[Aunt Maria]

I made these for my nephews 15th birthday but he was sick that day so he didn't have a chance to enjoy them. I just came back from a weekend beach get together with my whole family and as I was serving another one of my home-made desserts, I happily over-heard my other nephew tell his girlfriend about the amazing oreo dessert that his aunt had once made. He told her that he had brought some to school and that he and a friend had spent a few minutes enjoying the "best thing" they had ever eaten! Needless to say, this aunt was beyond happy :-) Thanks again Messy 44. *I wanted to add an extra note to my review because I just made these again over the Labor Day weekend and kids and adults alike were fighting over the last piece!

[mommyloves2cook]

Oh so delicious! Wanda, wherever you are, you are a genius :) This so simple and tasty...and dangerous! Luckily there aren't any leftovers or I'd be in trouble. I used unsalted butter in place of margarine and only used 12 oz. of the sweetened condensed milk. The bars came out perfectly fudgy after being refrigerated over night. Thanks so much, Messy.