Oatmeal Brownie Gems

I'm not fond of oats - but I like this dessert with them! Yummy! Tisha will second me on this recipe. She likes it too!

2 3/4 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats, uncooked
1 cup flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (I don't put these in)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 3/4 cups "M&M's" Semi-Sweet chocolate mini baking bits
1 package fudge browni mix, prepared according to package directions for fudge-like brownies

Preheat over to 350. In large bowl combine oats, flour, sugar, nuts and baking soda; add butter until mixture forms coarse crumbs. Toss in M&M's until evenly distributed. Reserve 3 cups mixture. Pat remaining mixture on bottom of 15x10x1 in pan to form crust (I just use regular casserole pan - takes longer to cook though). Pour prepared brownie mix over crust, carefully spreading into thin layer. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top of brownie mixture; pat down lightly. Bake 25 - 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs. (If using normal casserole dish - will take about 40 minutes instead!!). Cool completely. Cut into bars. YUMMY!