Amish cocoa squares 

The Boston Globe printed this basic recipe thirty-five years ago. I added the chocolate chips (a bit more chocolate never hurts). Experimenting is part of the pleasure in cooking.

Makes 12 squares

• 1 cup oats
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• Powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan.

2. In a mixing bowl, stir oats and hot water together. Cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Mix in sugar, cocoa, butter, and eggs. Stir in vanilla. Slowly add the flour and baking soda. Beat well. Stir in chocolate chips.

3. Pour into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool. Dust with powdered sugar, and cut into squares.