Salty Sweet Peanutty Treat Bars (Cookie Mix)

Source: Betty Crocker NOTE: Cookie mix used is 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® chocolate chip cookie mix

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 32
• Yields: 32 bars

Ingredients

• Cookie Base

• 1 (17 1/2ounce) envelope  betty crocker  chocolate chip cookie mix
• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine, softened
• 1  egg

• Filling

• 24  caramels, unwrapped
• 2  tablespoons butter or 2  tablespoons margarine
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

• Topping

• 60  small  pretzel twists (2 cups)
• 1 1⁄2 cups  dry-roasted salted peanuts, chopped
• 1  cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F
2. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
3. In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms.
4. Spread dough in bottom of pan.
5. Bake 10 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat filling ingredients over medium-low heat 5 to 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted.
7. Remove from heat.
8. As soon as pan is removed from oven, press pretzels firmly into partially baked base, slightly overlapping pretzels.
9. Sprinkle chopped peanuts evenly over pretzels.
10. Pour caramel filling over top; spread evenly.
11. Bake 20 minutes longer until caramel filling bubbles.
12. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
13. In small microwaveable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes or until melted.
14. Dip fork into melted chocolate; drizzle chocolate over bars.
15. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.
16. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows.
17. Store covered at room temperature.