Shelly's Recipe

* Sweet and Salty Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars *

Category: Bars

No-Stick Cooking Spray
2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 (7.4 oz.)pkg chocolate Chip Muffin Mix
2 1/2 cups thin twisted pretzels
1 cup salted peanuts
1 (14 oz.) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
24 bite size caramel candies, unwrapped

HEAT oven to 350. Spray 13x9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray. Line pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on long sides. Spray with no-stick cooking spray. Beat brown sugar and butter in large bowl with electric mixer at medium high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and egg.

STIR in muffin mix. Pat into prepared pan with oiled hands. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Layer will rise and fall. Evenly distribute pretzels over chocolate chip layer pressing firmly. Sprinkle with peanuts.

COMBINE sweetened condensed milk and caramel candies in medium saucepan. Cook over medium low heat until caramels are melted, stirring constantly. Pour caramel filling over pretzels and peanuts. Bake about 15 minutes longer or until caramel filling bubbles. Cool completely on wire rack. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Cut into bars.