Preheat oven to 350°F.

Add half the flour (2 1/2 cups), all the brown Sugar, one cup of butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla and baking soda in a large bowl. Mix until well blended.

Add the remaining flour and oats to the batter.

In a saucepan - heat the milk and chocolate until melted. Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla and the nuts. Remove from heat. Do not bring the mixture to a boil. Your just melting the chocolate.

Pat 3 1/2 cups of the oatmeal mixture into a 9X13 pan.

Spread the chocolate over the the oat mixture.

Add the remaining oat mixture by dropping dots into the span by the spoonful.

Bake for 25 minutes and cut when cool.

I've ate these many times at weddings and other community events with my family. I always ask if Carol brought her Chocolate Oat bars! She was kind enough to share her recipe. They are yummy.