Praline Congo Bars

Chocolate chip bars topped with crunchy pecan pralines.

Ingredients:

• Praline:
• 1 lb brown sugar
• 1/2 pint whipping cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cups pecans
• Bars:
• 3/4 cup butter
• 2 1/4 cups light brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 6 oz semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Mix cream and sugar in a microwaveable bowl and microwave on high for 13 minutes. Remove, add butter and pecans, then stir. Spread out thinly onto waxed paper sheets, let cool. Chop or crush pecans into pieces. Melt butter then stir in brown sugar and let cool. Beat eggs into sugar mixture, one at a time. Sift flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl then add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips, pour into a 13 X 9 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until slightly brown. Remove and sprinkle with praline pieces to make a thick layer. Return to oven for 5-7 minutes then remove and let cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Number of Servings: 14