Caramel Swirl Bars

These are ooey gooey delicious.

• 1  1/2 cups sifted flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1  1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
• 1 pkg. (14 oz. bag) caramels, wrappers removed
• 1/4 cup half and half

Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt and set aside.
Mix together the sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and pecans until well blended. Fold in the flour mixture and reserve 1 cup of the batter. Spread the remaining batter in a greased, foil-lined cookie sheet. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 15 minutes or until firm.

In the microwave, melt the caramels and half and half in a bowl for 2-3 minutes until melted. Cool for about 5 minutes and the mixture becomes thickened. Pour over the baked layer in the pan, spreading to 1/2 of the edges.

Drop the reserved batter by spoonfuls over the caramel layer. Draw knife through to give a marbled effect.

Bake for 20 minutes until the center is set. Cool on a wire rack and cut into bars.