2 cups quick oats, uncooked
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons shortening
1 1/2 cups (12 ounce package) M & M's plain choc. candies
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Heat oven to 375°F. Grease jelly roll pan, 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch. Mix oats, flour, nuts, brown sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl; stir in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 1/2 c. crumbly mixture. Press remaining crumbly mixture into pan.

Bake 10 minutes. Heat shortening in 1-quart saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in 1 cup of the candies; press candies with back of spoon until candies break into pieces. Cook and stir until chocolate is melted (pieces of candy coating will remain); remove from heat, stir in milk. Spread over baked layer to within 1/2 inch of edges. Mix reserved crumbly mixture and remaining candies. Sprinkle evenly over chocolate mixture; press lightly.

Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes; cool. Cut into bars, about 2 1/4 x1 1/2 inches.

Makes approximately 50 bars.