Trilevel Brownies

This crowd pleaser features two layers of creamy chocolate and chewy oatmeal cookie-like layer. Walnut halves (or your favorite holiday candy) make a tasty topper.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Yields: 32 Brownies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1  cup  quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1⁄2 cup  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 cup butter, melted
• 1  egg
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 2⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 1⁄4 cup butter, melted
• 1  ounce  unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped walnuts
• 1  ounce  unsweetened chocolate
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups  sifted powdered sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
•  walnut halves (optional)

Directions

1. FOR BOTTOM LAYER:.
2. stir together oats, the 1/2 cup flour, the brown sugar, and baking soda.
3. Stir in the 1/2 cup melted butter.
4. Pat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 11x7x1-1/2-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree F. oven for 10 minutes.
5. FOR MIDDLE LAYER:.
6. Stir together egg, granulated sugar, the 2/3 cup flour, the milk, the 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 ounce melted chocolate, the 1 teaspoon vanilla, and the baking powder until smooth.
7. Fold in chopped walnuts.
8. Spread batter over baked layer in pan.
9. Bake about 25 minutes more or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Set on a wire rack while preparing top layer.
11. FOR TOP LAYER:.
12. In a medium saucepan heat and stir 1 ounce chocolate and the 2 tablespoons butter until melted.
13. Stir in the powdered sugar and the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
14. Stir in enough hot water (1 to 2 tablespoons) to make a mixture that is almost pourable.
15. Spread over brownies.
16. If desired, garnish with walnut halves.
17. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 32 brownies.
18. *Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare and bake brownies as directed. Frost and cool. Cover and store at room temperature for up to 1 day.