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Tri-Level “Show-Off” Brownies
Oatmeal Brownies from a Vintage Cookbook
This amazing vintage oatmeal brownies recipe comes from a old cookbook published in 1975, the Better Homes And Gardens Homemade Cookies Cook Book
. With three layers of decadence, including crunchy oatmeal, nutty chocolate, and smooth fudge frosting, these truly belong in the “Show-Off Brownies” chapter!
I love to look at the photos in vintage cookbooks. The style of food photography was so different and is an interesting change from the food styles of today. I highly recommend cruising your local thrift store for old cookbooks; you never know what gems you’ll uncover.
Triple Layer Oatmeal Brownies Recipe
An awesome triple layer brownie with crunchy oatmeal, nutty chocolate, and smooth fudge frosting.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Ingredients
For the oatmeal layer
- 1 cup quick cooking oats
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 6 TB butter melted
For the brownie layer
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1 1- ounce piece of unsweetened chocolate melted and cooled
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
For the fudge frosting
- 1 1- ounce piece of unsweetened chocolate
- 2 TB butter
- 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 TB Hot water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and line an 11 X 7 1/2 X 1 1/2 inch pan with foil or parchment.
For oatmeal layer
- Stir together first 4 ingredients and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir in 6 TB melted butter. Pat in pan and bake for 10 minutes.
For brownie layer
- Combine sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, and chocolate; add egg. Beat well.
- Stir together 2/3 cup flour, baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt; add to chocolate mixture alternatively with a mixture of the milk and vanilla, mixing in between each addition. Fold in nuts.
- Spread batter over baked oatmeal layer. Bake for 25 minutes more. Cool.
For the fudge frosting
- In small saucepan melt chocolate and butter. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Blend in hot water to make almost pourable consistency. Spread on top of brownie layer and let cool.
Jennifer
This recipe looks interesting, how did they taste?
I tend to like my brownies to be just full of decadent ingredients so I’m hesitant to try one with oatmeal in the crust.
I do love to look at vintage cookbooks. They are such a hoot. I’ve gotten some of my best recipes from old community and club cookbooks, you know like Junior League.
Katie
They’re good. I find multi-layer brownies to be appealing visually, but taste-wise I prefer simple brownies- plain chocolate, or maybe some chocolate chips thrown in. Frostings and other layers confuse me. 🙂 But I wanted to try out a vintage recipe with a photo, and it was either this or mint swirl.
Keep Calm and Fanny On
I love old cookbooks, and I particularly like the styling! These look great – you always find unexpected things in old books! Lovely…
Katie
Yes, I just love old cookbooks. You never do know what you’ll find! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Kristina
vintage cookbooks are great – and some are a RIOT! this sounds great, I love a “base” layer to a brownie!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
I do the same thing! Old cookbooks definitely had that yellow/overhead light being on look to them. I made some chocolate chip cookies from an old Pillsbury cookbook and they are probably one of my favourites!
Marye
I have this cookbook… lol! And sadly, I remember when it was brand new. Vintage recipes are always fun!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
Vintage recipe or not–these bars look absolutely incredible!
Sheena @ Tea and Biscuits
I love this 🙂 I have a soft spot for old cook books and I’ve never seen a recipe quite like this one, it looks really nice!
Jenny
we made these all the time when I was a kid in the 80s and I still make them from time to time- and I use a little more chocolate than is called for because I like a really chocolatey brownie. They are deeee-licious!! Make sure not to overbake them; they are at their best a little gooey!
Katie
That is awesome that you made these back in the day! I, too, was a kid in the 80s! 🙂
Lisa
Thank you for posting this awesome book & recipe !!
My mom had this cook book I loved these triple layer brownie as a little kid !!
Thanks for bring such fond memories back to ME !!
Katie
That’s wonderful! We have a huge stack of these old cookbooks and it’s such fun to go through them. I go to Goodwill sometimes to look at more, just for fun. 🙂