Caramel & Chocolate Pecan Bars

By jcridge

Ingredients

• Crust:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup pecan halves
• Caramel Layer:
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• Chocolate:
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350. Combine all crust ingredients except pecans in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Press onto bottom of ungreased 9x13 pan. Place pecans evenly over unbaked crust.

Combine 2/3 cup butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar in 1-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until entire surface of mixture begins to boil. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour mixture evenly over pecans and crust.

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until entire caramel layer is bubbly (DO NOT OVERBAKE). Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with chips; allow to melt slightly then swirl melted chips over bars leaving some whole for marbled effect. Cool completely; cut into bars.