Revel Bars are thick dessert bars made with two layers of oatmeal bars with a thick layer of fudge in between. Try my Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars for another oatmeal and chocolate treat.
Revel Bars (Or is it Fudge Jumbles?)
Revel bars can be found at most potlucks or church functions in the midwest. In fact, my mother-in-law, Patricia, has been making these bars for over 40 years! She calls them Fudge Jumbles. I think that might be a midwestern name. 🙂
The sweet fudgy middle layer perfectly complements the not-as-sweet layers of oatmeal. The bars can be enjoyed as a dessert or a midday snack with a cup of coffee. And, hey, there’s oatmeal in this treat, so why not have one for breakfast and ‘revel’ in happiness all day?
Bars Ingredients
There are two parts to this recipe–the oatmeal bars and the fudge layer.
Oats: I used old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, in my recipe. They are flat, irregularly shaped pieces that are used a lot in cookies, granola bars, and muffins. You could also use quick oats if that is what you have on hand.
Brown Sugar: Use light brown sugar. Light brown sugar contains about 3 1/2% molasses, compared to double that in dark brown sugar.
Room Temperature Ingredients: For best results, make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. The butter needs to be at room temperature (65°F) for it to cream properly with the sugar.
Chocolate: Use semi-sweet chocolate chips for the fudge layer.
Can I Use a Different Sized Pan?
You can also use a 10x15inch pan or a sheet pan for these bars. (this is the most common) The baking time will be a bit less, as the bars won’t be as thick, but the ingredient amounts remain the same. We like these bars in a 9×13 but tend to cut them into 24 pieces instead of 12. I didn’t in the photography for this recipe, as I wanted to capture as much of the thick chocolate & oat perfection as I could!
Can I Freeze Revel Bars?
Yes! If you want to get the bars made ahead of time, they are easy to freeze and will still be a big hit when served. When ready to freeze the bars, first, cut them into the size of pieces you want. Then, place them in the freezer on a baking sheet. After they have frozen, transfer the bars to freezer-safe containers or bags for up to three months. Be sure to label and date the containers.
More Delicious Bars
Revel Bars
Ingredients
Oat Bars
- 3 cups (270 g) old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups (400 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
Fudge
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups (364 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper (up the sides).
- In a large bowl combine oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
- In a separate large bowl, add sugar and butter. Use a hand mixer to cream together until fully incorporated. Add eggs and vanilla and continue mixing until smooth.
- Adding one cup at a time, mix in the flour.
- Spread ⅔ of the mixture (about 3 cups) into the prepared pan. Set aside.
Fudge
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add condensed milk, chocolate chips, butter, and salt. Mix well until combined.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Assembly
- Pour the fudge mixture over the layer of the oat mixture.
- Using the remaining oat mixture, form small discs and place them over the top of the chocolate mixture.
- Bake 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Let the bars cool to room temperature before transferring them to the refrigerator to chill for 3 hours.
Video
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
Have made a similar recipe to this and I chill the top layer and grate it over with a hand grater .Will be trying this one
Yum! Fudge jumbles was a Pillsbury boxed mix we would buy in the 1980’s. It was my favorite as a teenager. Here is the commercial –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iOTJ8JRrr8
Thank you for the recipe.
I have been making bars so similar to these for sometime now and most everyone loves them. I say most everyone because there are some that will not eat anything with oatmeal. :).
This looks like a wonderful recipe.
I have enjoyed making some of the items from your book –Homestead Recipes.
(a Midwest girl).
Ha! I totally get it! 🙂 Thank you so much, Maureen!
Sounds delish and will try. Do you have recipe for peanut butter pie? Please respond.
Hi Emily! Please feel free to use the search option in the upper right-hand corner of the page. You can find exactly what you are looking for! 🙂
many family makes them but sprinkle with powdered sugar they look nice
Sounds pretty & yummy!
I forgot to add they cut smoother after cooled. If fudge is soft they don’t cut too well
Can quick oats be used instead?
Hi Leanne – This is what is says in the post:
Bars Ingredients
There are two parts to this recipe–the oatmeal bars and the fudge layer.
Oats: I used old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, in my recipe. They are flat, irregularly shaped pieces that are used a lot in cookies, granola bars, and muffins. You could also use quick oats if that is what you have on hand.
Amanda,
I haven’t made them yet, but Do they have to be stored in the fridge? I never have enough room!😊
They look delicious!
Gwen
Hi Gwen! They don’t need to be stored in the fridge. Room temperature is best. 🙂
In my much younger years these were called Fudge Nut Bars. Nuts were added to the chocolate mixture. Always a hit.
I know your to young to have eaten wrapped spice cake bars with raisins. We used to buy them in the section where Twinkies and snow balls were. If you have a receipt for this bar I’d love it.