CHOCOLATE FILLED WALNUT OATMEAL BARS

Chocolate Filled Walnut Oatmeal Bars

1 cup margarine or butter, softened
2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon instant coffee, optional
3 cups quick-cooking oats
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
Chocolate Filling

Preheat oven to 350F. In large mixer bowl, beat margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla and instant coffee if desired; beat well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt and 1 cup walnuts; gradually add to creamed mixture. Dough will be stiff; stir in last part by hand. Reserve 2 cups dough. With floured hands, press remaining dough evenly on bottom of 15 x 10 inch baking pan. Spread Chocolate Filling evenly over dough in pan. Crumble reserved dough over chocolate. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup walnuts over top. Bake 25 minutes or until top is golden, chocolate will be soft. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store covered at room temperature.

Chocolate Filling

1/2 cup margarine or butter
1/2 cup cocoa
1 14 ounce can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, NOT evaporated milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt margarine. Stir in cocoa. Add Eagle Brand; cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and thick. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.