TriLevel Brownies

I think I got this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens. I've had it for a while and had tucked it away in my "Later Date" file of my recipe box (okay, I don't really have that category... but I had tucked it in there and had forgotten about it until recently). I pulled out the recipe and scanned all of the ingredients-- and was happy to see that I had everything on hand (well, not the full amount of walnuts-- but enough to fulfill the need!)


Notice my two little monkey's in the background thinking they are oh-so-funny by putting bunny ears on the ingredients!

Ingredients
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
1-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Walnut halves (optional)

Directions
1. For bottom layer, stir together oats, the 1/2 cup flour, the brown sugar, and baking soda. Stir in the 1/2 cup melted butter.

(I got the first layer ingredients all mixed up with some help.)

Pat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 11x7x1-1/2-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350degree F. oven for 10 minutes.



2. Meanwhile, for middle layer, stir together egg, granulated sugar, the 2/3 cup flour, the milk, the 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 ounce melted chocolate, the 1 teaspoon vanilla, and the baking powder until smooth. Fold in chopped walnuts. Spread batter over baked layer in pan. (May I suggest leaving a generous amount behind in the bowl so there is something to lick when the bars are baking?)



Bake about 25 minutes more or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Set on a wire rack while preparing top layer.

3. For top layer, in a medium saucepan heat and stir 1 ounce chocolate and the 2 tablespoons butter until melted.



This color looks scrumptious!

Stir in the powdered sugar and the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. (I pulled the pan from the heat when I added the sugar cause I knew it'd be dry.)



Stir in enough hot water (1 to 2 tablespoons) to make a mixture that is almost pourable. (Mine needed about 5 tablespoons of hot water to get it runny enough to pour onto the bars. I did the first three tablespoons of water off of the heat, and the last 2 were added once the pan was back on the stove.)


The frosting spread pretty easily, but it starts to set up pretty quickly! Spread over brownies. If desired, garnish with walnut halves. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 32 brownies.



Here is the instructional part again, without my pictures and tips, in case you just want to copy and paste it for printing:

1. For bottom layer, stir together oats, the 1/2 cup flour, the brown sugar, and baking soda. Stir in the 1/2 cup melted butter. Pat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 11x7x1-1/2-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree F. oven for 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, for middle layer, stir together egg, granulated sugar, the 2/3 cup flour, the milk, the 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 ounce melted chocolate, the 1 teaspoon vanilla, and the baking powder until smooth. Fold in chopped walnuts. Spread batter over baked layer in pan. Bake about 25 minutes more or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Set on a wire rack while preparing top layer.

3. For top layer, in a medium saucepan heat and stir 1 ounce chocolate and the 2 tablespoons butter until melted. Stir in the powdered sugar and the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in enough hot water (1 to 2 tablespoons) to make a mixture that is almost pourable. Spread over brownies. If desired, garnish with walnut halves. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 32 brownies.

Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare and bake brownies as directed. Frost and cool. Cover and store at room temperature for up to 1 day.