Chewy Nutty Squirrel Bars
Ingredients:
cup cocoa powder
1 cup flour
1 cup of powdered sugar
4 tablespoons of heavy cream
cup chopped nuts e.g., walnuts, pecans, or a mix of nuts
1 cup of caramel or butterscotch baking ships
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature reserve 2 tablespoons of butter
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Beat 1 sticks of butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Mix in cocoa powder and flour.
4. Press batter into the dish and bake for 15 minutes.
5. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan until thickened; add vanilla.
6. Pour over the baked crust and bake 8-10 minutes. Toast nuts, chop, and set aside.
7. Melt caramel chips with 4 tablespoons of heavy cream in the microwave. Fold in nuts and salt, then pour over the bars.
8. Cool completely before cutting.