Brownie Caramel Pecan Bars

Description
Makes about 16 bars.

Ingredients

 * ½ cup sugar
 * 2 tbsp butter or margarine
 * 2 tbsp water
 * 2 cups (12-oz pkg) Hershey's semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
 * 2 eggs
 * 1 tsp vanilla extract
 * ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
 * ¼ tsp baking soda
 * 1 cup pecan pieces
 * ¼ tsp salt
 * Classic caramel topping (recipe follows)

Classic caramel topping

 * 25 Hershey's Classic caramels
 * ¼ cup (½ stick) butter or margarine
 * 2 tablespoons milk

Directions

 * 1) Heat oven to 350°F.
 * 2) Line 9-inch square baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan; grease and flour foil.
 * 3) Combine sugar, butter and water in medium saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils.
 * 4) Remove from heat; immediately add 1 cup chocolate chips, stirring until melted.
 * 5) Beat in eggs and vanilla until well blended.
 * 6) Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; stir into chocolate mixture.
 * 7) Spread batter into prepared pan.
 * 8) Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan.
 * 9) Meanwhile, prepare Classic caramel topping.
 * 10) Remove brownies from oven; immediately and carefully spread with prepared topping.
 * 11) Sprinkle remaining 1 cup chips and pecans over topping.
 * 12) Cool completely in pan on wire rack, being careful not to disturb chips while soft.
 * 13) Cut into bars.

Classic caramel topping

 * 1) Remove wrappers from caramels.
 * 2) Combine butter or margarine, caramels and milk in medium microwave-safe bowl.
 * 3) Microwave at high (100%) 1 minute; stir.
 * 4) Microwave an additional 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, or until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred.
 * 5) Use immediately.