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M & M Bars Makes 24 2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal ¾ teaspoon salt 1½ cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup melted butter 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (Crisco) 1 cup M&M’s (plain, not peanut) 1 can sweetened, condensed milk ½ cup M&M’s
Mix together oatmeal, salt, flour, baking soda, brown sugar, and butter until crumbly; save out 1½ cups of this mixture for the topping. Press the rest into a greased 9” x 13” pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. In a small frying pan or heavy saucepan over low to medium heat, melt shortening. Add 1 cup M&M’s. Stir constantly, letting the candies melt.You may need to mash the candies with the spoon, once they’re starting to warm, to loosen candy coating. Do not leave unattended on stove top or without stirring. When melted, stir in condensed milk (I use the fat-free variety); mix well and pour over crust. Mix ½ cup M&M’s with the reserved topping. Sprinkle over the top of the bars and bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting. Jane Kinney
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