CARAMEL SQUARES

Ingredients

1. Plain flour-3/4 cup
2. Butter(cut into small pieces)-125 grams
3. Light brown sugar- 4 tbsp

For caramel filling

1. Sugar-2 to 2 1/2 tbsp
2. Butter-1 tbsp
3. Condensed milk-200gm
4. Vanilla essence- 1/2 tsp

For topping

1. Caramelized nuts-1/2 to 3/4cup
2. Melted Plain chocolate(optional)

Method

1. Line a  square cake tin(20 cm) with baking paper.Keep aside.
2. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl and rub in the butter with your finger tips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.Add the sugar and mix to form a firm dough.
3. Press the dough into the base of the prepared cake tin and prick all over with a fork.
4. Bake in a preheated oven,190 deg for 20 minutes or until light and golden.Leave it to cool in the tin.
5. Heat sugar in a heavy bottomed pan ,lightly swirl the pan as it starts to melt.
6. Cook until it is completely melted and the color changes to  brown.
7. Now add the butter,and whisk until the butter is melted and both the ingredients are combined.
8. Now slowly add the condensed milk , whisking as you do so.Bring slowly to the boil over a very low heat,then boil very gently for 3-4 minutes,stirring constantly,until the filling has thickened.
9. Add vanilla essence ,mix well and pour this caramel filling over the cooled base in the tin ,smooth with a palette knife.Leave to set.
10. Scatter the caramelized nuts over the caramel filling and drizzle melted chocolate on top if desired.
11. Cut into squares to serve.