Behr Track Cookie Bars

Name: Behr Track Cookie Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: about 4 dozen
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar; 1/3 cup baking cocoa; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup butter, melted; CARAMEL LAYER:; 1 package (13 ounces) caramels; 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream; 1-1/2 cups lightly crushed pretzels; PEANUT BUTTER LAYER:; 1 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; CHOCOLATE LAYER:; 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips; 3 tablespoons shortening

The holidays are the perfect time to indulge in these ooey-gooey, salty-sweet peanut butter bars. A lot of people comment that the pretzels in the filling are a pleasant surprise. Just make sure to cut cookie bars small—they're super rich. —Megan Behr, Marion, Iowa

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
CARAMEL LAYER:
1 package (13 ounces) caramels
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1-1/2 cups lightly crushed pretzels
PEANUT BUTTER LAYER:
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
CHOCOLATE LAYER:
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons shortening

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa and salt; stir in butter. Press onto bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake until set, 10-15 minutes. Cool completely.
Microwave caramels and cream, covered, on high, stirring occasionally, until melted, 3-5 minutes. Spread over crust; cover with crushed pretzels. Refrigerate until set.
Meanwhile, combine peanut butter and butter; beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over pretzels. Return to refrigerator.
In the microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Spread over peanut butter layer. Refrigerate 15 minutes before cutting into bars.