APRICOT MACADAMIA CARAMEL BARS

Apricot Macadamia Caramel Bars image

Cookie crust topped with caramels, nuts and apricots for wonderful baked bars. A dessert drizzled with chocolate.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Dessert

Time 1h30m

Yield 25

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
24 vanilla caramels, unwrapped
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 package (7 oz) dried apricots, chopped, about 1 1/3 cups
1 jar (6 oz) macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped, about 1 1/3 cups
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Steps:

Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add flour and salt; mix until soft dough forms. With floured hands, press dough in bottom of ungreased 9-inch square pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set.
Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels and whipping cream over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; stir in apricots and macadamia nuts. Spoon mixture evenly over crust; spread carefully.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and oil uncovered on High 30 to 45 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over bars.
Refrigerate 1 hour or until set. Cut into 5 rows by 5 rows.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 210, Carbohydrate 20 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Bar, Sodium 105 mg, Sugar 9 g, TransFat 0 g