Saturday, April 3, 2010

Caramel and Chocolate Pecan Bars

Caramel & Chocolate Pecan Bars

CRUST:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup butter
1 cup pecan halves

TOPPING:
2/3-cup butter
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1-cup real semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Combine all crust ingredients, except pecans, in a bowl. Beat at medium speed until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Press onto bottom of un-greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Place pecans evenly over unbaked crust. Combine butter and remaining brown sugar in 1-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until entire surface of mixture begins to boil. Boil, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Pour mixture evenly over pecans and crust. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until entire caramel layer is bubbly. (DO NOT OVER BAKE) Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle chips; allow to melt slightly. Swirl melted chips over bars leaving some whole for marbled effect. Cool completely. Cut into bars.

Yields: 36 Bars