Easy Fudge Bars

My blogging friend, Tiffanee, shared a tried and true recipe on her blog a few weeks ago for some yummy fudge bars!  I decided to give these a try for our Bible study; and they were a great hit.

I used applesauce in place of most of the oil and also swapped in dark chocolate chips (a little extra antioxidants, anyone?), and reduced the eggs to just one.  Not sure that these counter the cake mix and sweetened condensed milk, but they were delicious.

The hardest part of this recipe?  Waiting until they are cooled to eat.  

Easy Fudge Bars - Adapted from One Crazy Cookie

1 yellow cake mix
1 egg
1/3 C applesauce/oil mix*
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk (I used fat free)
1 C dark chocolate chips
2 T butter

*Using a 1/3 C measuring cup, fill mostly full with applesauce, and top off the difference with olive or canola oil.

Begin by mixing the cake mix with the egg and applesauce/oil mixture.  Mixture will be dense.

Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 glass baking dish.  If need be, lightly grease your spatula or your hand with oil to aid in pressing the mix.

Meanwhile, combine the butter, chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk together in a large, microwavable bowl.

Warm the mixture for about 2 1/2 minutes; stirring after 1 minute.  Mixture is ready when it's nice and fudgy and the chocolates are all melted.

Pour over the cake mix.

Then, carefully plop the remaining 1/3 of the cake mix on to the top of the fudge layer.

I found it easiest to use a spatula to pick up the batter mix, and a knife to slice off a clump and plop in down on the fudge layer.  

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.

Let bars cool completely before trying to slice.

Trust me on this one.

Although the corner I tried to snitch before was amazing while warm.... it was a mess to cut.

Once cool; then hide the bars. You'll want to help your failing self control.

Linked to: It's A Keeper, Sweet Tooth Friday, Potluck Sunday, Your Recipe, My Kitchen