Warm Nutty Caramel Brownies

This is a Pampered Chef recipe


1 tsp vegetable oil
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided
1 18-21 oz brownie mix (plus ingredients to make cake-like brownies)
3/4 c packed brown sugar, divided
1 cup salted mixed nuts, divided
5 rolls (1/7 oz each) milk chocolate-covered chewy caramels, divided (40 pieces total)
vanilla ice cream--opt

1. Preheat oven to 375*. Lightly brush 9x13 pan with oil. Chop 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate morsels in food processer. Combine brownie mix, water, oil, eggs, and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar; mix well. fold in chopped chocolate; pour batter into pan, spreading evenly.
2. Chop nuts in food processer. Combine half of the nuts and remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar; sprinkle evenly over brownie batter. Bake 20-22 minutes or until pick inserted in center comes out clean.
3. Meanwhile, cut 16 caramels into quarters. Place remaining 1/2 cup chocolate morsels in bowl; microwave on HIGH 1 minute or until melted, stirring after each 20-second interval. Spoon melted chocolate into resealable plastic bag; set aside.
4. Remove pan from oven. Immediately press remaining 24 caramels evenly into brownie in four rows of six caramels each. Sprinkle quartered caramels and remaining nuts over brownies. Trim corner of chocolate-filled bag ; drizzle chocolate evenly over brownies. Cut into squares; serve warm with ice cream if desired.