Caramel Pecan Bars

By KDHarmon

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter or stick margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons fat-free milk
• 40 small soft caramel candies
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°.

Beat the first 4 ingredients with a mixer at medium speed until well-blended. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Add flour to sugar mixture, stirring until well-blended. (Mixture will be crumbly.) Firmly press mixture into bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes.

While crust is baking, combine milk and caramel candies in a medium sauce-pan. Place over low heat; cook until candies melt, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla; remove from heat.

Remove the crust from oven. Pour the caramel mixture evenly over hot crust. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.