GOOEY TURTLE BARS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. Place the vanilla wafer crumbs and melted butter in a medium-sized bowl, and mix well with a fork. Transfer the crumb mixture to an ungreased 9-x-9-inch baking pan and, using the back of a fork, press the mixture firmly over the bottom and sides of the pan. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and pecans evenly over the crumb mixture. 3. Place the caramel topping in a microwave-save bowl, and microwave on high power for 1 1/2 minutes, or until the topping has a thin consistency. Alternatively, place the copping in a small saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly. Drizzle the topping over the chocolate chips and pecans.4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are light brown in color. Cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.5. Cut into bars and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.CREATING THE JAR1. Wash and thoroughly dry a 1-quart wide-mouth canning jar.2. Layer the ingredients in the jar as shown below, pressing firmly with a flat-bottomed object, such as a tart tamper or the bottom of a narrow glass, after each addition. Make the layers as level as possible.TOP of the jar 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbsBOTTOM of the jar3. Secure the lid, and decorate as desired (see The Basics: 06-Creating the Jars DECORATING THE JAR). Attach the instructions for making the cookies found in the Gift Jar Tags chapter.From "The Mason Jar Cookie Cookbook." Copyright 2002 by Lonnette Parks. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.