First Layer
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter
Second Layer
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 egg
2/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
Third Layer
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons hot water

First Layer
Heat oven to 350°F. Stir together oats, flour, brown sugar, soda, salt, and melted butter. Pat into a 11x7x1 1/2 inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool. Leave oven set at 350°F.
Second Layer
Mix sugar, butter and melted chocolate together. Add egg: beat well. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to chocolate mixture alternately with milk and vanilla. Stir in chopped nuts if using. Spread over baked cooled base layer. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool.
Third Layer
Melt chocolate and butter together, stirring till smooth. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Blend in hot water to make an almost pourable consistency. Frost brownies.