I have had much less time to bake this year than I would like. Usually by this time my house is overrun with Christmas cookies. It's probably a good thing though, since whatever I make I end up eating way too much of. I need to find more parties to go to just to have an excuse to make things and give them away. Even with my lack of time I did spare a few minutes to make these. They are so easy and I like them more than fudge, which is saying a lot. They are like homemade Twix bars and a little goes a long way. Make sure to cut them into small pieces!

Caramel Shortbread Squares

2/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons dark (or light) corn syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line a 9 inch square baking pan with parchment.

Mix together 2/3 cup butter, sugar, and flour until crumbly. Press into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk. Bring it to a boil. Keep it boiling for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and beat the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon for about 3 minutes. Immediately pour over the baked crust. Cool completely.

Once cooled take a paper towel and dab the caramel to soak up some of the excess butter so the chocolate will hold.

Place the chocolate in a microwave-saffe bowl and heat for 1 minute. Stir and continue to heat at 10-20 second intervals until it is completely melted and smooth. Pour the chocolate over the caramel and spread it evenly. Chill in refrigerator, then cut into 1-inch squares. 

[recipe from AllRecipes]