Caramel Cashew Bars

Am posting as per request. Found on Pillsbury.com. Cooling time -- about 1 hr. This was submitted by Kathleen Kildsig of Kiel, WI; submitted this for the Bake-Off Contest 40, 2002 and she won $2,000 for it.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 36 bars

Ingredients

• 16 1⁄2 ounces  pillsbury create 'n bake  refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
• 2  cups  milk chocolate chips
• 1 1⁄2 cups  caramel apple dip
• 3  cups  crisp rice cereal
• 1 1⁄4 cups  chopped cashews

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F
2. In ungreased 13x9-inch pan, break up cookie dough.
3. With floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust.
4. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown.
5. Cool 15 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, in 3- to 4-quart saucepan, cook 1 cup of the chocolate chips and 1 cup of the dip over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth.
7. Remove from heat.
8. Stir in cereal and cashews.
9. Spread cereal mixture over crust.
10. In 1-quart saucepan, heat remaining chocolate chips and dip over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth.
11. Spread over cereal mixture.
12. Refrigerate until chocolate mixture is set, about 30 minutes.
13. For bars, cut into 6 by 6 rows.
14. High Altitude (3500-6500 ft):Bake crust 16 to 19 minutes.