Caramel Cashew Bars

By jenlin

Ingredients

• 3 cups finely crushed shortbread cookies (63 cookies; 1 1/2 10-ounce packages)
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 36 vanilla caramels, unwrapped
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 2 cups coarsely chopped cashews or dry roasted peanuts
• 2 cups tiny marshmallows

Details

Servings 24

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over the edges of the pan. Lightly grease foil; set pan aside.
In a large bowl stir together crushed shortbread cookies, butter, and sugar. Press cookie mixture firmly and evenly in prepared pan. Bake about 15 minutes or until crust is golden and dried around edges. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, in a medium heavy saucepan heat and stir caramels and cream over medium-low heat until melted and smooth. Stir in cashews. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over baked shortbread crust. Pour caramel mixture over marshmallows; carefully spread evenly.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until caramel is set and bubbly around edges. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Use foil to lift uncut bars out of pan. Place on cutting board; cut into bars.