Oatmeal Cookie Dough Bars

I found this recipe on picky-palate.com, and decided that it was brilliant, and that I had to try it out for myself.  I am so glad that I did.  These little bars are completely amazing.  They are a perfect combination of chewy bar and gooey cookie dough.  I love cookie dough.  So much in fact that I rarely (if ever) get the number of cookies that the batch is supposed to make.  A little too much dough never makes it's way to the oven.  These bars are a perfect solution.  You can use whichever combination of chocolate chips you like best.  I'm thinking that chocolate covered raisins would be delicious too.  And I think that I may be forced to recreate this recipe in a brownie/brownie batter combination.  Ooooh, the possibilities.

Oatmeal Cookie Dough Bars

Bars:
1 stick butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or use about 1/4 teaspoon table salt)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Cookie Dough Frosting:
1 stick butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or 1/8 teaspoon table salt)
1-2 Tablespoons milk
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with aluminum foil.  Lightly grease the foil using cooking spray.  Set aside.

For the bars, cream together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar.  Add the egg and vanilla, and beat until incorporated.  Add the flour, oatmeal, baking soda, and salt and beat until just combined.  Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread evenly.  Bake the cookie bars in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until set in the center and golden.  Remove the cookie bars from the oven and let cool completely.

For the cookie dough frosting, cream together the butter, sugar,  brown sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.  Beat in the flour, oatmeal, and salt.  Add the milk, one tablespoon at a time until the frosting comes together.  Stir in the white chocolate chips.  

Use the edges of the foil to lift the cooled cookie bars out of the pan.  Spread the cookie dough frosting over the cooled cookie bars.  Cut into squares.  Makes 16 bars.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy