CHIPS AHOY! Chewy Caramel-Pretzel Bars

Name: CHIPS AHOY! Chewy Caramel-Pretzel Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 38 min
Yield: 32
Ingredients: 36 CHIPS AHOY! Cookies, divided; 1 pkg. caramels; 2 Tbsp. butter; 1 Tbsp. milk; ⅔ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips; ¾ cup pretzel twists

These chewy and chocolatey bars combine sweet chocolate chip cookies, creamy caramels and salty pretzels into a dessert bar that everyone will pick.

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 min

Servings:

Makes 32 servings.

Ingredient list

36 CHIPS AHOY! Cookies, divided
1 pkg. (11 oz.) caramels
2 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. milk
⅔ cup EACH semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips
¾ cup coarsely broken pretzel twists

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F.

Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; spray with cooking spray. Chop 4 cookies; place in small bowl. Set aside.

Place remaining cookies in single layer on bottom of prepared pan, cutting or breaking cookies if necessary to evenly cover bottom of pan. Chop any unused cookie pieces; add to chopped cookies in bowl. Reserve for later use.

Cook caramels, butter and milk in saucepan on medium-low heat until caramels are completely melted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.

Pour caramel sauce over cookies in prepared pan; spread to evenly cover all cookie pieces.

Bake 16 to 18 min. or until caramel sauce is bubbly.

Top dessert with chocolate chips; let stand 2 to 3 min. or until melted. Use tip of knife to gently swirl melted chocolate onto caramel topping.

Sprinkle with broken pretzels and reserved cookie pieces; press gently into top of dessert with back of spoon to secure. Cool 10 min. Use foil handles to transfer dessert from pan to wire rack; cool completely before cutting into bars.

Recipe Tips

Use Your Microwave
To instead prepare the caramel sauce in the microwave, microwave caramels, butter and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 min. or until caramels are completely melted and sauce is well blended, stirring every minute. Use as directed.