amy vanderbilt's chocolate oatmeal bars

With yesterday being National Chocolate Day and today National Oatmeal Day, this recipe for Chocolate Oatmeal Bars from the 1961 Amy Vanderbilt Complete Cookbook seems like a time-tested combination of the two, and surprisingly without the use of any eggs:

Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

1/3 cup melted butter or margarine
2 cups uncooked oatmeal
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 (6 oz) package semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped nuts

Start oven at hot (450 deg.).  Grease 7 x 11 inch pan.

Pour melted butter or margarine over oats in mixing bowl.  Stir well.  Add brown sugar, syrup, salt, and vanilla.  Mix thoroughly.  Pack firmly into prepared pan.

Bake 12 minutes, or until rich brown color.  Let cool in pan.  Remove from pan when cooled, then melt chocolate, spread over bars, and sprinkle with nuts.  Let stand until chocolate is set. Makes 2 dozen.