Turtle Cookies

Turtle Cookies
2 cups flour
1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar, divided
20 tablespoons (2 1/2 sticks) butter, divided
2 cups pecan halves
2 cups milk chocolate morsels
1/4- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixer, combine flour, 1 cup brown sugar, 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter , crust ingredients. Beat at medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until particles are fine. Pat firmly into a 9-by-13-by-2-inch pan. Sprinkle pecans evenly over unbaked crust.
Combine 3/4 cup brown sugar and 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter in a saucepan and cook over medium heat stirring constantly for 2 to 3 minutes until the surface begins to boil for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour evenly over pecans and crust. Bake 18-22 minutes or until entire caramel layer is bubbly and crust is light brown.
Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with milk chocolate morsels. Spread while warm. Then sprinkle with chopped pecans. Cool completely and cut into bars.
Makes about three dozen.
Cook's note: I like these best made with Ghiradelli milk chocolate chips.
Nutrition values per cookie: 219 calories, 14 g fat, 23 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein, 19 mg cholesterol, 13 mg sodium.
Cynthia Oliver, Mount Prospect, 2nd place Bar category