Oaxaca Fudge Bars With Cashew Crumb Topping Food

OAXACA FUDGE BARS WITH CASHEW-CRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• For the crust: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9-inch square metal baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• Whisk the flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Stir in melted butter until combined. Set 1 1/4 cups oatmeal mixture aside. Press remaining oatmeal mixture firmly into prepared pan. Bake until light golden brown, about 8 minutes. Cool completely. Stir cashews into the reserved oatmeal mixture.
• For the filling: Whisk the flour, brown sugar, instant espresso powder, cinnamon, chili powder and salt in a medium bowl. Put the chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl; microwave on medium power until chocolate is softened, stopping every 30 seconds to stir. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Whisk in eggs, then stir in flour mixture. Pour filling over cooled crust and sprinkle with reserved oatmeal mixture.
• Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out with few crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature, at least 1 hour. Remove using foil overhang and cut into squares.

FUDGE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch pan. In a large bowl, combine mix together the brown sugar, 3/4 cup margarine, eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Stir in baking mix and oats. Set aside.
• To Make Filling: Heat chocolate chips, condensed milk, 2 tablespoons margarine or butter and salt in saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in pecans and 2 tablespoons vanilla.
• Press about two-thirds of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of the pan. Spread evenly. Pour chocolate mixture evenly over oatmeal layer. Drop remaining one-third of oatmeal mixture by tablespoons on top of the chocolate mixture. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

FUDGE-FILLED BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar and salt. Add butter and mix until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Set aside 1-1/2 cups for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan., In a large saucepan, combine the milk, chocolate chips and shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until chips are melted; stir until smooth. , Spread over crust; sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture. Top with M&M's. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

CINNAMON-MOCHA FUDGE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon instant coffee in 2 tablespoons hot water. Add remaining Bar ingredients; stir until soft dough forms. Spread in pan. Bake 15 minutes; cool completely, about 10 minutes.
• In large bowl, dissolve 2 teaspoons instant coffee in 1/4 cup hot water. Add remaining Frosting ingredients; stir until smooth. Spread over bars. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows.