Blonde Brownie Caramel Cups

• Cups
• butter or 1/2 cup margarine↗1⁄2 cup
• brown sugar↗1 cup

  firmly packed

• vanilla↗1 teaspoon
• egg↗1
• all-purpose flour↗1 cup
• baking powder↗1 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• chopped nuts1⁄2 cup
• Topping
• caramels20

  unwrapped

• water↗1 tablespoon
• semi-sweet chocolate chips↗1⁄2 cup
• finely chopped nuts1⁄4 - 1⁄2 cup

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   Line 16 muffin cups with foil or paper baking cups.

3. 3

   Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat.

4. 4

   Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar.

5. 5

   Add vanilla and egg; mix well.

6. 6

   Add flour, baking powder and salt; blend well.

7. 7

   Stir in 1/2 cup chopped nuts.

8. 8

   Divide batter evenly into lined muffin cups.

9. 9

   Bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

10. 10

    Meanwhile, in small saucepan over low heat, melt caramels with water; stir constantly until smooth (or microwave in glass bowl with 1 tablespoon water on High for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally).

11. 11

    Immediately after brownie cups are removed from oven, place chocolate chips evenly into middle of each brownie.

12. 12

    Spoon 1 scant tablespoon of caramel over chocolate chips in each cup.

13. 13

    If necessary, stir additional water into melted caramels to maintain spoonable consistency.

14. 14

    Sprinkle 1/4 cup finly chopped nuts evenly over brownies.

15. 15

    Cool completely.

16. 16

    Store in tightly covered container.