CHOCOLATE CHIP CARAMEL BARS

By cecelia26_

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter flavor shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon soda
• dash of salt
• 2 cups (12 ounce) package milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 (14 ounce) bag caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Details

Adapted from crisco.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8" pan with Baker's Joy or grease and flour pan. Combine shortening, sugars, eggs, and vanilla in medium bowl; beat at medium speed until blended. Combine flour, soda, and salt in small bowl. Gradually, add to shortening mixture at low speed. Beat until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips with spoon. Divide dough in half. Spread half in bottom of prepared pan. Combine caramels and water in double boiler. Stir until caramels melt. Spread over dough in pan to within 1/2" of edge. Spoon remaining dough over caramel mixture. Spread carefully. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Loosen from sides of pan with knife. Remove pan to cooling rack to cool completely. Cut into bars.