Easy Fudge Nut Bars Recipe
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This recipe for Fudge Nut Bars is the second recipe I made for my 25 days of Christmas. It is an oldie but a goodie. My mom has been making this for as long as I can remember and it’s my dad’s favorite. She got the recipe from her grandmother and it’s been passed down to me. At first, she wouldn’t share it with me because she wanted to be the only one in the family to make it. I was able to talk her into it once we were living in separate states, haha.
The top and bottom are an oatmeal cookie while the middle is a gooey fudge. My mom and I have talked about trying to make just the fudge sometime but I am not sure it is solid enough to hold up on its own. You can make it with or without nuts, but I made it with nuts this time because they are called fudge nut bars, after all.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Oats
- Chocolate Chips
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Salt
- Walnuts
Equipment You May Need
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 9×13 Baking Dish
- Mixer
- Mixing Bowls
- Wooden Spoon
- Double Boiler
- Cooling Rack
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the purpose of sweetened condensed milk in this recipe? Sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness and creaminess, enhancing the overall richness of the bars. It also helps bind the ingredients together.
How should I store these bars, and how long will they stay fresh? Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze them.
Can I cut the bars while they’re still warm? It’s best to let the bars cool completely before cutting to achieve clean, even slices. Warm bars may be too soft and crumbly.
How do I know when the bars are done baking? Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), the bars are done. Be cautious not to overbake to maintain a fudgy texture.
Can I freeze fudge nut bars? Yes, you can freeze them. Ensure they are well wrapped to prevent freezer burn and thaw them in the refrigerator.
Substitutions and Variations
Oats: Try a mix of rolled oats and shredded coconut for added flavor and texture.
Chocolate Chips: Use white chocolate, dark chocolate, or a combination of different chocolate varieties for a unique twist. Chopped candy bars or chunks of your favorite chocolate can be substituted for chocolate chips.
Nuts: If you have nut allergies, omit the walnuts or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Chopped dried fruit, such as cranberries or apricots, can be used as a nut alternative.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
If you like Fudge Nut Bars, you might also like my Chocolate Chip Dessert Pizza or my Quick Oatmeal Cookies. These Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are also delicious.
Old-Fashioned Fudge Nut Bars
Ingredients
Oatmeal Bottom and Top
- 1 cup butter softened
- 2 cups light brown sugar firmly packed
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups quick oats
Fudge Middle
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease 9×13 glass baking dish.
- Cream butter (1 cup) and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla (2 teaspoons) until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, stir flour, baking soda, and salt (1 teaspoon). Stir in quick oats.
- Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture in small amounts. Mix in between until all of the flour mixture has been added.
- Use a double boiler to melt chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter (2 tablespoons) and salt (½ teaspoon).
- Stir walnuts and vanilla into fudge mixture.
- Spread 2/3 of the oatmeal mixture into greased glass pan. Spread fudge mixture evenly over the top, completely covering the oatmeal layer. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining oatmeal mixture on top of the fudge layer.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown.
- Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.
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14 Comments
Ayanna
Look delicious! Will have to try these.
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! Post a picture and let me know what you think if you do!
Robin
These sound delicious! Definitely going to have to try these.
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! Let me know if you try them. I would love to see a picture.
Linda Talarico
Looks and sounds delicious! I think it’s important and very cool to share family recipes.
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! I love trying and sharing family recipes.
Isa A
Love it to bits! I first shared one of your last sweet recipe link with my sis. But this time in sharing your whole blog with her since she likes to cook for her kids. Also I enjoy baking too so feel like trying this. Will tell when I make them. Lots of love your way <3
Isa A. Blogger
http://bit.ly/39f9FN0
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you so much! It is a delicious recipe and not too difficult to make. I appreciate you sharing with your sis. I hope she finds some recipes she wants to try. 🙂
lynnmumbingmejia
Yummy! Looks so good! I love oat bars and I’m planning on creating a recipe for it too! Thank you for sharing xx
Lynn | http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Headphonesthoughts
I love oat bars. I would love to make homemade ones. I’m never made homemade oat bars would love to try.
Heidi Bruaw
They are so good and definitely a family favorite! 🙂
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MyRecipes
Thank you very very very much for this DELICIOUS recipe !
Tutorial you made was easy and great, will defiantly made for my kids.
Heidi Bruaw
You’re welcome! I’m sure your kids will love it! 🙂