A cookie a Day - Bar style - Chewy Brownie Turtle Bars

I must admit this recipe is straight from the pages of a Womans Day magazine - but they look and taste so good I had to share.  I worked at Herbergers (my side job) on Friday night and Saturday and then Sunday my hubby and I drove to Bemidji to visit family, and the newest member, Peyton!  It was 5 hours in the car (there and back) but worth it to be able to see and hold her - she is already 7 weeks old - and getting bigger!  My mom and her husband had just gotten back from a 2 week road trip to Florida and back, so she had brought me some beautiful sea shells and also a candy bar from Graceland (one of their pit stops!)

Enjoy these brownies - whip them up for dessert tonight!

Chewy Brownie Turtle Bars
2 1/2 c. pecan pieces, roasted
1/2 c. butter
2   4 oz. bars chocolate, recipe calls for bitersweet, I used semi-sweet
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
2   14 oz. cans sweetened condensed milk
20 thin pretzels or whatever pretzels you have

Heat your oven to 350.  Line a 9 x 13 pan with tin foil and spray that foil with non-stick cooking spray. 
Place the butter and half of the chocolate in a saucepan and cook, stirring, over medium heat until melted.  Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and then the eggs.  Add the flour and stir until smooth.  Spread this into your prepared pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean (12-15 minutes).  Meanwhile, place the sweetened condensed milk in a pan, whisking often and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.  Simmer for about 15 -20 minutes until very thick and light golden brown, whisking constantly.    Stir in 1 1/2c.  pecans, spread this over the crust.  Sprinkle with remaining chocolate (chopped in pieces) and pecans.  Place the pretzels on top  Let set at room temp until firm, remove the bars from the ban and cut!