Double-Chocolate and Caramel Bars (Cookie Exchange Quantity)

Name: Double-Chocolate and Caramel Bars (Cookie Exchange Quantity)
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Yield: 72
Ingredients: 3 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup packed brown sugar; 2/3 cup baking cocoa; 1 egg, beaten; 1 1/2 cups firm butter or margarine; 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts; 1 bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups); 48 caramels; 2 cans (14 oz each) sweetened condensed milk; 1 bag (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup); 1 teaspoon shortening or vegetable oil

30 Minutes Prep3 Hours 5 Minutes Total
72 Servings
180 Calories per Serving

Indulge in rich bars that combine favorite caramel and chocolate flavors.

Ingredient List

Bars

3 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup baking cocoa
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups firm butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
48 caramels
2 cans (14 oz each) sweetened condensed milk

Chocolate Glaze

1 bag (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
1 teaspoon shortening or vegetable oil

Preparation

Heat oven to 350°F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil, leaving about 2 inches of foil hanging over sides of pan.
In large bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, cocoa and egg. Cut in 1 1/4 cups of the butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until crumbly. Stir in walnuts; reserve 3 cups of the crumb mixture. Press remaining mixture firmly in bottom of pan; sprinkle with 2 cups chocolate chips. Bake 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in heavy 2-quart saucepan, melt caramels with sweetened condensed milk and remaining 1/4 cup butter over low heat, stirring constantly. Pour over crust. Top with reserved crumb mixture. Bake about 20 minutes longer or until bubbly. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave 1 cup chocolate chips and the shortening uncovered on High 1 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through heating time, until melted and thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over bars. For bars, cut into 12 rows by 6 rows.

Tips

Place bars in decorative mini muffin cups. It makes serving a snap.
Instead of walnuts, use pecans for a “turtle” flavor combo bar.
Bars can also be baked in a 17x11x3/4-inch pan; decrease first bake time to 13 minutes and second bake time to about 18 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Information

Daily Values (Amount per serving)

Total Fat 9g 14%, Saturated Fat 4 1/2g 23%, Cholesterol 15mg 6%, Sodium 60mg 2%, Potassium 120mg 3%, Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%, Dietary Fiber 1g 4%, Vitamin A 4%, Vitamin C 0%, Calcium 6%, Iron 4%, Vitamin D 0%, Vitamin E 0%, Thiamin 4%, Riboflavin 6%, Niacin 2%, Vitamin B6 0%, Folic Acid 2%, Vitamin B12 0%, Pantothenic Acid 0%, Phosphorus 6%, Magnesium 6%, Zinc 2%, Selenium 6%, Copper 8%, Manganese 10%

Other Nutrients (Amount per serving)

Calories 180, Calories from Fat 80, Trans Fat 0g, Monounsaturated Fat 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1 1/2g, Soluble Fiber 0g, Insoluble Fiber 0g, Sugars 15g, Protein 3g, Beta-Carotene 0%, Omega-3 250g, Carbohydrate Choice 1 1/2, Starch 1/2, Fruit 0, Other Carbohydrate 1, Skim Milk 0, Low-Fat Milk 0, Milk 0, Vegetable 0, Very Lean Meat 0, Lean Meat 0, Medium-Fat Meat 0, High-Fat Meat 0, Fat 2