posted by Gail1935 04-22-102 4:27 PM
Chewy Chocolate Caramel Bars
14-oz package light-colored caramels (about 50)
2/3 cup evaporated milk
18 1/2 pkg. German or devil's food chocolate cake mix
12 TBS (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (about 4 oz)
6-ounce package chocolate chips
In a heavy medium saucepan, combine caramels and 1/3 cup evaporated milk. Stir occasionally over low heat until melted.
In mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat cake mix, butter, and remaining 1/3 cup evaporated milk until dough is well mixed, about 1 minute.
Grease a 9X13 inch baking pan. (Silverstone works well). Press half the cake mixture into the pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, pour melted caramel over, and spread it evenly. Sprinkle nuts and chocolate chips on caramel. Using fingers, pinch handfuls of cake mixture together and drop pieces over the top. Spread lightly with a spatula, to cover the top as evenly as possible. Don't be concerned if the caramel is not completely covered. Return to oven and bake 20-25 minutes longer. Top should be crusty, but cake will look underdone; it will firm up as it cools. Refrigerate until firm enough to cut into bars. Serve cold or at room temperature. May be refrigerated for 1 week or frozen. Makes 32 bars.