Surprise Oatmeal Brownies

I'm always thankful for modern appliances. Especially after listening to my Dad (born in 1926) talk about the "good old days" when there were no such things as microwaves, Kitchenaid mixers, dishwashers and things like that. Not to mention lovely things like cell phones and computers and the internet!

So tonight I thought I'd show my thankfulness for modern appliances by using some of them to make something with oatmeal in it. Rick has been hungry for oatmeal, so today at Sam's I bought one of those mega boxes of good ol' Quaker Oats.

1.5 C quick oats
1 C M&M's, or chocolate chips or peanut butter chips (I used PB chips here) (And that's the "surprise" in this recipe - whatever you add to it.)
1/2 C flour
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C (one stick) melted butter
1 package brownie mix (I used Betty Crocker Fudgy Brownie)

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix all ingredients except the brownie mix and the "surprise". Save 1 cup of this oatmeal mix for the topping a little later.

Pat the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of a greased 9X13 baking pan.

Mix together brownie mix according to the package, add your "surprise" ingredient and then pour over the crust. Sprinkle the saved oatmeal mix over the top of the brownie mix.

Ready to go into the pre-heated oven.

Bake at 350 for 32 minutes. Cool completely and then cut into squares. These are nice, chewy brownies, but they won't be that way if you cut into them too quickly.


Just out of the oven, after 32 minutes.



I've heard stories that the North Dakota farmhouse we lived in until I was 4 years old didn't even have running water until after I was born, the youngest of 5 kids. I can't even imagine! So, here's to modern conveniences and my thankfulness for them! As a result, we are enjoying yummy brownies tonight, about 1,400 miles away from that tiny little farmhouse.