German Chocolate Bars

Ingredients

• 1 (10-ounce) box shortbread cookies,, I used 2 5.6 ounce boxes and ate 1 cookie :
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter,, melted
• 1 large egg white,, lightly beaten
• 1 (14-ounce) package individually wrapped caramels,, unwrapped
• 3 tablespoons half-and-half
• 1 1/4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 1/4 cups chopped toasted pecans
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces chocolate-flavored candy coating,, melted

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, letting edges overhang a few inches.

2. 2

   Place cookies and sugar in a food processor and pulse until finely crumbled.

3. 3

   In a medium bowl, combine cookie crumbs, melted butter, and egg white. Stir well.

4. 4

   Press into bottom of prepared pan and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool completely.

5. 5

   Place unwrapped caramels in a microwave-safe bowl and add half-and-half. Microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds. Stir and continue to microwave at 30 second intervals until mixture is smooth. (1 1/2 to 2 minutes total). Let cool slightly.

6. 6

   Add coconut, pecans, and salt to caramel mixture. Let cool 2 hours.

7. 7

   Melt candy coating according to package directions and drizzle on top of bars. Let set for 1 hour and then use foil to lift bars from pan. Cut into squares.