Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Ingredients

• ¾ cup flour
• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• ½ cup flour (for filling)
• ½ cup brown sugar (for filling)
• 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules or espresso powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt (for filling)
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, chopped
• 3 large eggs

Directions

1. Spray a 9 x 9 baking pan with cooking spray and line with aluminum foil, leaving excess to overhang the pan edges. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
2. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees.
3. Whisk flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Stir in butter until combined. Set 1 ¼ cups of the oatmeal mixture aside.
4. Press remaining oatmeal mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Bake until light golden brown, about 8 minutes. Cool completely.
5. Whisk flour, sugar, instant coffee, and salt in a bowl.
6. Melt chocolate chips and butter in a large bowl; whisk in eggs, then stir in the flour mixture.
7. Pour filling over cooled crust and sprinkle with the reserved oatmeal mixture.
8. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 35-40 minutes.
9. Cool to room temperature, at least 1 hour. Cut into 1 ½ inch squares.