Imagine a giant soft cookie stuffed with thick and decadent chocolate fudge. This is just that! These Oat Fudge Bars are a copycat version of the discontinued ones at Starbucks, but in my opinion they are so much better!
The bars have a soft and chewy oat base thanks to the melted butter being used. It helps keep it soft for days.
The hearty oat dough comes together in one bowl and is used as both the base and the crumble topping.
The chocolate fudge inside is sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips melted together. It's thick and so good!
For more bar recipes, try Condensed Milk Nutella Bars, Brown Butter Nutella Bars, and Peanut Butter S’mores Bars.
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Why this recipe works
Easy to make - These bars come together in under 25 minutes and require no electric mixers!
Fudgy layer - The chocolate fudge layer consists of sweetened condensed milk and semi-sweet chocolate chips. It is so creamy, soft, thick, and fudgy.
Flavour - Rich and decadent fudge filling pairs wonderfully with the brown sugar oat base and topping!
Oatmeal layer - Buttery, chewy oat bar layer is used for both the base and on top.
Starbucks copycat - This is a copycat (but better in my opinion) of the Starbucks oat fudge bars that are now discontinued.
Ingredients Notes
Butter - I use unsalted. This will be melted.
Brown sugar - Light brown sugar is used, but dark brown can also be used.
Chocolate chips - I used semi-sweet. Using this type got me the closest version to the Starbucks version. You can also use dark, but I think milk will be to sweet.
Eggs - Must be at room temperature.
Oats - Old-fashioned oats or rolled oats work for this recipe. Don't use quick oats, those will not work.
Sweetened Condensed Milk - Make sure it's condensed and not evaporated milk! They both come in cans so it can be confusing.
Step by step instructions
Here is how to make and bake these oat fudge bars. You will need an 8×8 square pan lined with parchment paper, a large mixing bowl, a spatula, and a whisk.
Step 1 – Prep. Grease the pan. For easy removal of the brownies, place parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides of the pan. Grease again and then set aside.
Step 2 - Whisk butter and sugar. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until combined.
Step 3 - Add egg and vanilla. Toss in the egg and vanilla and continue whisking.
Step 4 - Add in dry ingredients. Add in the flour, baking powder, oats, and salt. Fold using a spatula until a soft dough forms. Set aside.
Step 5 - Make fudgy layer. In a heat-proof bowl, melt chocolate chips and condensed milk together until a thick fudge forms.
Step 6 - Layer. Take 3/4's of the dough and press along the bottom of your pan, creating a base.
Add the fudgy layer on top and spread evenly. Take the remaining 1/4's of the dough and gently press on top. There should be gaps or spaces in between as shown in the image.
Step 7 - Bake. Bake the bars for 25 minutes or until the top is set. You want the top oat layer to be a pale colour. If they are golden, it will be a more crumbly bar.
Cool, slice, and enjoy!
Expert Baking Tips
Here are a few expert baking tips from my kitchen to yours
- Use a gram scale for most accurate measurements. Especially for the dry ingredients!
- Make sure you're using sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk!
- Use semi-sweet chocolate chips. I find milk are to sweet, and dark doesn't give you the copycat recipe we're quite trying to achieve here.
- Make the fudgy layer after creating your oat dough. It solidifies quite quickly, so if you make it first, it will be harder to spread after sitting.
FAQ
Why did my bars come out crumbly?
You most likely over baked them. The longer the bars are baked, the more dried out they become, hence becoming crumbly.
Can I use a chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips?
Yes! Just make sure it's the same amount of chocolate (170g).
Storing & Freezing
Store the bars in an airtight container for up to 1 week on the counter or in the fridge.
Freeze the bars in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for up to 1 month. When ready to consume, allow to thaw to room temperature or warm up in the microwave.
Check out these recipes
- Easy Carrot Streusel Muffins
- Coconut Butterscotch Cookies
- Apple Coffee Cake
- Rhubarb Oatmeal Breakfast Cake
PS : If you enjoyed this recipe, please make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW down below! I'd love to stay connected on Instagram @taffeybakery! To get more recipes follow me on TikTok @taffeybakery!
Oat Fudge Bars
Ingredients
For oat bars
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 3/4 cups light brown sugar
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 tsp salt
For fudge layer
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk (just eyeball it)*
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉/180℃. Grease an 8×8 inch square pan. For easy removal of the bars, place parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides of the pan. Grease again and then set side.
- Melt the butter. In a large bowl, add the melted butter and light brown sugar. Whisk until well combined.1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cups light brown sugar
- Add in egg and vanilla and continue whisking.1 egg, 1 tbsp vanilla
- Add in the flour, oats, salt, and baking powder. Using a spatula, gently fold until a soft dough forms. Set aside.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/4 tsp salt
- Make the fudgy layer by adding the semi-sweet chocolate chips and condensed milk into a bowl. Just eyeball half of the can when pouring it into the bowl. Melt either using a double boiler method, or in the microwave at 10 second intervals. The mixture will be thick!1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk
- Layering time! Take 3/4's of the oat mixture and press it into the bottom of the pan. Make sure the entire bottom layer is covered.
- Add the fudge mixture on top and spread evenly and smoothly on top using a spatula.
- Take the remaining 1/4 dough and add it on top in random spots. I find it easiest to make tablespoon circles with my hands and press them down around the pan. (see image above for reference). Keep in mind that the entire pan will not be covered and there will be gaps!
- Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes. Mine took 28 minutes exactly. You want the top layer of the oat crumble to be pale and soft. If it is brown, they are over-baked.
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan before transferring them onto a cutting board to slice into 9 even squares. Enjoy these bars warm or at room temperature!
Maritess Malapit says
Thank u so much for this recipe Ania, it's so gooooodd! My friends and family enjoyed it.
Ania says
My pleasure Maritess! I'm so glad you and your family are enjoying these bars - they're one of my favourites!! Thanks for sharing 🙂