Peanut Butter Caramel Bars

Makes 60 bars
Prep Time: 25 min.
Baking Time: 15 to 20 min.
Cooking Time: 6 to 11 min.
Chilling Time: 3 hrs.

Ingredients:
Crust
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups pecan halves
Topping
1 package (14-ounce) caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons Half & Half
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 package (11.5-ounce) milk chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F.
1) In large bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter.
2) Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.
3) Add egg and continue beating until well mixed.
4) Reduce speed to low; add flour, baking powder and salt. Beat until dough forms.
5) Press dough evenly into ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
6) Sprinkle pecans evenly over dough.
7) Place baking pan in oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is lightly browned around edges.
8) Meanwhile, place caramels and half & half in 2-quart heavy saucepan.
9) Cook for 6 to 11 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Stir in vanilla.
10) Drizzle caramel mixture evenly over pecans; sprinkle with chocolate chips.
11) Cool completely, for about 3 hours, at room temperature. Cut into bars.