Magic Cookie Bars

Originally called the unimaginative "Oatmeal Chocolate Bars," these have been renamed by Mr. Brady, who says that these bar cookies will be the death of him--they're that good. I think we almost unanimously prefer less of the chocolate mixture, so really, we should double the cookie mixture (keeping the chocolate the same) and use two cookie sheets. Also, as good as they are right out of the oven (vanilla ice cream on top????), they are best when completely cool.

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a cookie sheet with Pam.

1 cup shortening (I mess around with this, sometimes using less than 1 cup butter or "I Can't Believe..." but have always found shortening does make the best consistency bar)
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour (I sometimes do some whole wheat for more umph)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
2 1/2 cup oats

Combine shortening and eggs and sugars. Mix dry ingredients separately and then combine. Yada yada. Spread evenly on cookie sheet, leaving out about 1 cup to sprinkle/drop on top.

Melt in a saucepan:
12 oz. chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 TB butter
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla (add after everything is smooth)

Spread chocolate topping over bars. Bake at 350 for 20 min.