M&M Oat Bars
Taste of Home
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"These irresistible bars can sweeten any holiday," informs field editor Renee Schwebach of Dumont, Minnesota.
SERVINGS: 72
CATEGORY: Dessert
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 10 min. + cooling
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 package (14 ounces) caramels
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 cup (6 ounces) miniature semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup plain M&M's
- 3 ounces white confectionery coating
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture. Stir in oats.
Press into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt caramels and water; stir until smooth. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with the chips, nuts and M&M's. Gently press into the caramel mixture. Melt confectionery coating; drizzle over the top. Let stand for 5 minutes or until coating is set. Cut into bars. Yield: 6 dozen. *Editor's Note: Confectionery coating, sometimes called "almond bark" or "candy coating", is found in the baking section of most grocery stores. It is often sold in bulk packages of 1 to 1-1/2 pounds.