Chocolate Pecan Caramels

• tablespoon butter, softened, divided↗1
• cup butter, softened, divided↗1
• cups coarsely chopped pecans, toasted↗1 1⁄2
• cup semi-sweet chocolate chips↗1
• cups packed brown sugar2
• cup light corn syrup↗1
• cup water↗1⁄4
• (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk↗1
• teaspoons vanilla extract↗2

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Line a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan with foil; butter the foil with 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle with pecans and chocolate chips; set aside. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt remaining butter. Add brown sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer reads 248° (firm-ball stage). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Cool completely before cutting.