These Oatmeal Fudge Bars are the perfect sweet treat. With an oatmeal crust, a smooth and creamy chocolate fudge layer and topped with an oatmeal crumb they’re completely irresistible.
This post is a little bit harder for me to write than normally. Today’s post is a little less about these fabulous oatmeal fudge bars and a little more about what’s been going on in my life lately.
I was struggling with trying to decide if I should share some more personal things about myself here or if I should just keep things to myself and let you think my life is always perfect and always full of sweet smelling roses, smiling laughing children and delicious baked goods. But that’s not really real, is it.
Since this is my space to be me and my space to express myself, my thoughts, my feelings and share my recipes with you, I thought I owe it to myself and maybe even to you to use this space to open up.
Some of you who read my blog and follow me on social media (like Facebook) may have noticed I haven’t been as active online recently. Due to an ongoing health issue, I just haven’t had the energy to keep up with online presence as I normally do. And no, the health issue has nothing to do with gluten.
Since being diagnosed with Complete Heart Block at the age of 1, I have been 100% dependent on a pacemaker. Yup, you read that right. I have a pacemaker and I’m not 86 years old.
Several doctors have tried to figure out what exactly caused the heart block. The fact is this. According to my dad and grandma, I was sick with a virus and shortly after, I because lethargic. I had no energy. I just wasn’t myself. My doctors were never sure if it was the virus that actually caused the heart block or if I already had a slight heart defect that was exacerbated by the virus that ultimately lead to complete heart block. Either way, the end result was the same: a pacemaker.
Obviously, since receiving my first pacemaker 28 years ago, this is not my first trip to the rodeo. I’ve been there. I’ve done that. And it sucks every time – it never gets easier. Actually, the more I do it, the more I dread it. The more anxious it makes me feel. The more I hate having to rely on a little tiny device that has to be surgically changed every 5-10 years. It just gets harder.
And here I am again. After setting a personal record for the longest time between surgeries, my personal battery is running low. So low in fact, that my pacemaker has gone into a power save mode. It’s capped my max heart rate at 65 beats/minute. So no matter what I do, how hard I try to push myself, it will not beat faster than 65 bpm. So, as you can imagine, every little thing feels like work. Walking up the stairs – exhausting. Picking up my kids – exhausting. Vacuuming the floor – exhausting. Doing anything but sitting on my butt or lying down – exhausting. It. Sucks.
This is the first time going through this as a mom though. The first time I have others to worry about and take care of. Others that I’m no longer actually able to take care of the way I need to. Thankfully, I’ve got an amazing support system. My family has been there for us helping me take care of the kids and watching them for me, making us meals, having us over for dinner, taking time off work. I’m lucky and so thankful. Mom, I know you’re reading this so thank you and I love you ♥
On Wednesday, I’ll be getting my 6th (or 7th?) pacemaker. I’ve lost count at this point. The funny thing is, maybe one day I’ll set a record for the most pacemaker implants. I mean, I’ll be getting these for the rest of my life. I’m pretty sure there are very few people out there who could top that…
I’m ready to get it over with and pick up where we left off. Cooking, baking, playing. A normal heartbeat.
Life.
In other news, I made these oatmeal fudge bars shortly before my pacemaker went kaput. My brother has proclaimed them to be the best thing I’ve made. There you go guys, the best. Enjoy! (and maybe wish me some luck and healing thoughts?)
Sharon Lachendro - What The Fork Food Blog
Yields 25
20 minPrep Time
25 minCook Time
45 minTotal Time
Save Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 C butter, softened
- 1 C brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract , divided
- 1 1/4 C gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 C oats, certified gluten-free
- 1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 C full fat coconut milk *
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper - leave enough paper to hang over the sides to lift the bars out of the pan.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar. Beat in the egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Sift in the flour, xanthan gum, baking powder and sea salt. Mix until combined. Mix in the oats. Refrigerate while preparing the fudge layer.
- To make the fudge layer, add the chocolate chips, coconut oil and coconut milk to a small sauce pan. Heat over low heat and stir frequently until the chocolate chips are melted. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining 1 tsp vanilla extract. Set aside.
- Press half the oatmeal mixture into the baking pan. Pour the fudge layer of the crust and spread evenly over the crust.
- Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top of the fudge layer. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely before removing from the pan and cutting.
Notes
*half a can of sweetened condensed milk can be substituted for the coconut milk.
br]
Recipe adapted from [Collecting Memories
.
IF YOU LOVE THIS OATMEAL FUDGE BARS RECIPE, BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE EMAIL UPDATES! NEW RECIPES WILL BE DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX!
This post is linked to Inspiration Monday, Made by You Monday, Two Cup Tuesday, Totally Talented Tuesdays, Create Link Inspire, The SITS Girls, Create & Share DIY and Recipe Party, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, What’s Cookin’ Wednesday, Allergy Free Wednesday, Wine’d Down Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday, Showcase Your Talent Thursday, Create it Thursday, Crafty and Delicious Party, Your Turn To Shine, Pin Junkie Pin Party, Gluten-Free Fridays, Link Party Palooza, Savoring Saturdays, Weekend Wind-Down, Weekend Potluck and Best of the Weekend.
1
of course these bars look AMAZING, but most importantly I wish you MANY prayers and well wishes for your surgery on Wednesday!!
I had no idea, Sharon! Hoping this replacement puts a little more pep in your step, and that you’ve got a quick, smooth recovery. BTW – those bars look AMAZING!
Prayers & fast recovery vibes coming your way!
I am so sorry for what you are going through! Wishing you all the best and sending prayers and positive thoughts. God bless!
Woah Sharon, just the photos are making my mouth water so much! Need to try them 😉
My good wishes and prayers that all be well on Wednesday.
Must let you know that you have made my eating life much more enjoyable, thought food as I knew it was not in my reach till you came along thanks.
Oh wow, Sharon! Definitely will be keeping you and your family in my prayers!
Thank you for sharing this and I have to think you will be glad you did. This way the blogging community can send it’s love your way. Harvard did a study and people who are prayed for do better in surgery. They have no idea why but it works. So I’m sending love and I will pray for you on Wednesday.
This may be a good time to tell you (I was going to send a private note but…) you have been an incredible inspiration to me as a blogger. After seeing how much success you were achieving in such a short time, I have completely changed my approach and am trying to become a part of the community. Thanks for showing me how. I thought I already was but clearly I was wrong. You have been an amazing guide.
As for those bars! Wow! Pinned!
How scary! A quote that has always help me in life is “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Nelson Mandela. I will keep you in my prayers for your fast recovery.
SHARON, LOVE AND PRAYERS TO YOU. I HAVE LOVED YOUR BLOGGING SO MUCH AND YOU MAKE VERY INTERESTING AND BEAUTIFUL FOODS. I AM DAIRY FREE BESIDES THE GLUTEN FREE AND I DON’T KNOW HOW TO ADAPT THE RECIPES WHEN THEY HAVE WHIPPING CREAM IN THEM. I WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT RECIPE.
BEST WISHES AND GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
So sorry to hear about everything you have been going through lately! you are so right…as a mom, everything gets so much tougher, when you have kids who depend on you. I’m so glad to hear you have a great support system all lined up! And these bars? Yum!!!
Wish you all the best good health after surgery may god hold your hands so you can doing well and look after your famely may god bless all involved with your medical help god bless you all
Oh, Sharon! Wow! What a story. Yes, the bars look amazing. But, you! I’m so sorry to hear about the struggles you are facing and have faced all of your life and will continue to face. I can’t imagine going through all of that. I’ve had some problems with my health through the years, but not like you. Yes, I did have kids and now I have a granddaughter that I care for quite often. I always enjoy looking over your recipes, however, I don’t always have time or energy to try everything that I’d like to. My gluten free eating has improved my health, so I always appreciate that your recipes look awesome! I sure hope all goes well for you with your upcoming surgery. I’ll be reading your blog, and looking forward to a good report. Well done to your very supportive group! Especially your Mom! Hats off to great moms!
Aw I wish you the very best with this new pacemaker! I’m so sorry for the ups and downs it has given you through your life! It sounds like it really really sucks! I know they can be so horrible, but I’m so thankful for the pacemaker technology and how it has made life possible for so many I love!
On a happier note, I’m in LOVE with these cookie bars!! That fudge layer is making my mouth water..gotta try out your recipe asap!! 🙂
These look absolutely amazing! My mouth is watering just looking at them!
Best wishes on your surgery and a speedy recovery! I will be keeping you in my thoughts 🙂
oh my sister…that is an awful lot to be going through. Hang in there,sending positive, healing thoughts your way.
Oh my goodness, Sharon! I had no idea and I am keeping you in my prayers! You keep powering through because you are doing an amazing job! And these bars? I want to devour them all!
Thank you for sharing, I hope your surgery went well and you feel back to 100% soon! These bars look absolutely divine too 🙂
Wishing you a speedy recovery from your surgery, Sharon. You are in my prayers. So glad that you shared this so that we can pray. 🙂 Glad to hear you have family to help.
Your fudge bars look scrumptious!
You certainly have been through a lot and I know how hard it is to take care of others when you are not feeling well. I hope your pm changes goes very well!
Thanks for sharing! You have that many more prayers being said for you! Sendng love and prayers your way also!
Your Fudge Bars are calling my name! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
HI, thank you so much for sharing your story! Love your recipes even if I haven’t made anything. Prayers to you, that recovery from surgery goes well.
Wow, thank you for sharing your story, I know that cannot be easy. I hope that your next surgery goes well and you can get back to 100% soon. In other news, Oatmeal Fudge Bars were some of my most favorite desserts as a kid!
I’m sorry you are burdened with such a problem. If you don’t mind I will pray that God will guide the surgeons hands and that you will get well soon. Thoroughly enjoy your recipes.
Prayers are with you.
This is just beautiful, Sharon. Those oatmeal bars look delicious. Will try them out soon.