Rosie Finally Starts Her Christmas Baking.

Every year for Christmas, I make lots and lots of goodies for family, friends, and neighbors. Since Middle Hawthorne's birthday is December 2, I usually get past that and start my baking on December 3. However, this year, Mr. H. and I went out of town to visit the Birthday Boy and our respective families and didn't get back until Thursday, December 4. So, stressed out, I started my baking today, December 5. I'm woefully behind. There are the tried and true recipes I make every year. Then I always try to find something new to add. I was a bit overwhelmed, looking at my Christmas recipe book, at all the recipes I need to do each year - the tried and true ones I do every year. So my first baking endeavor this year is something new. I found this recipe in Mama Hawthorne's recipe files yesterday and thought it sounded mighty good: Caramel and Chocolate Pecan Squares.

Ingredients for the crust: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (I used up what light brown sugar I had, then added some lumpy dark brown.) 1 stick (1/2 cup) Land o' Lakes butter 1 cup pecan pieces

I mixed together the butter, flour, and brown sugars and poured into an ungreased 9 x 13 pan.

Then pressed the mixture in the pan, using a piece of plastic wrap.

Next, I added in the cup of pecan pieces. Spread them evenly over the crust.

And here's the crust base, ready for the caramel topping.

Here are the ingredients for my caramel topping: 2/3 cup butter 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine the butter and sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil.

Continue stirring until mixture comes to 242 degrees.

Pour caramel mixture over top of crust.

And here it is ready for the oven. Bake for 18- 22 minutes, or until caramel layer is bubbly.

Here it is, after 22 minutes, still a-bubble.

Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Let stand for 2-3 minutes, then swirl the chips. Cool completely, then cut into squares.

Oooh. Aren't these pretty?

And delicious! I just love finding new recipes that are so easy and so good.