Oatmeal Brownies

Ingredients
3 cups old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 package (1 lb 6.5 oz) supreme brownie mix with pouch of chocolate flavor syrup
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup canola oil
2 or 3 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts, if desired

Step 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray.

Step 2 In medium bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar and baking soda; stir in butter. Reserve 1 cup of the oat mixture. Press remaining oat mixture in pan. Bake 10 minutes; cool 5 minutes.

Step 3 In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, chocolate syrup, water, oil and 2 eggs for fudgelike brownies (or 3 eggs for cakelike brownies) until well blended. Stir in nuts. Spread over baked layer; sprinkle with reserved oat mixture.

Step 4 Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 2 hours. For brownies, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. Store tightly covered.