Deanna's Christmas Cookie Link Up

Ok so...sort of a new thing today...A blogger friend of mine is having a what in our little neck of the woods is called a "link up". That means that a whole bunch of us join our blogs together for whatever reason..... This one is all about something near and dear to my heart, mainly sweets! :)
We are all chipping in our favorite sweet stuff recipes today. Mine is to follow....but if you want to check out more yummy treats, check out Deanna's page and go pick up some other recipes for delicious holidays treats (and you can drool over the pictures there too!). You can find all of this tasty goodness by going here. Tell Deanna that I sent you!

Did some one say holiday treats? 

It might surprise some people around here that I have morphed into quite the dessert chef (if chefs cooked lots of things that come from a box).

You can cook? I'm shocked......

 Despite the usual fare of quick and easy meals that usually occur in my household, every once in a while, I feel the need to roll up my sleeves and cook something special completely from scratch. Ambitious, yes? With other types of recipes, success is usually hit or miss. But lo and behold, I rock at making deserts from scratch!


So without further ado, an easy, very yummy (but deliciously bad for you!) version of homemade turtle brownies.....

I hope you're planning to make some and share Mom. 

Ingredients:
1/2 c. butter (or one stick for us margarine using girls)
1/2 c. shortening (yep, Crisco)
3 squares unsweetened Baker's chocolate
1 and 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. of baking POWDER
1/4 tsp salt
4 eggs
2 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
36 unwrapped caramels
2 tbsp milk or heavy cream
whole pecans

Instructions:
Turn your oven on to preheat, setting it at 350 degrees.
In a small saucepan, on low heat, melt together chocolate squares, shortening and butter, stirring ALOT so that the mixture doesn't scald.
Once it is all melted together, remove from heat and set aside to cool...meanwhile, mix together flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl.
In yet another bowl (yes, we are dirtying every dish in your house. But these are so yummy, you won't care!), beat the eggs. Beating constantly, slowly add the well abused eggs into the chocolate mixture 1/4 cup at a time. Add in the vanilla and sugar. Mix well. Then its on to the flour mixture. Slowly add the contents of the chocolate pan to the flour, mixing well until all the ingredients are smoothly combined (or as smooth as you can get!) and pour it into an ungreased 9 by 13 inch pan.
Put the 36 caramels into a microwave safe bowl. Pour in the milk and heat uncovered on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes a smooth combination.
Drizzle over the brownies. Sprinkle with pecans.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure when it gets close to time, you start checking them often to avoid over baking.....ENJOY!!!!!!

Give me the brownies and no one gets hurt.