Sweet and Salty Turtle Cookie Bars

2 sticks softened butter
3/4 Cup sugar
3/4 Cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanillla
2 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 Cups chocolate chips

3/4 Cup caramel ice cream topping
1/2 Cup chopped pretzel sticks
1/2 Cup ground walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer cream butter and sugars until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla until well combined. Place flour, baking soda and salt into a large bowl and slowly add to wet ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips.

2. Spray a 11x7 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Press 1/2 of the cookie dough into the bottom of the dish. Drizzle caramel sauce over dough then sprinkle with pretzels and walnuts. With a cookie scoop, scoop the remaining cookie dough evenly over top of pretzels and nuts. Press down slightly, should look uneven. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until cookies just start to turn golden on the edges. Remove and let cool completely before cutting into squares.

12 bars
from: http://www.picky-palate.com/