CARAMEL MILKY WAY CHEESECAKE BARS

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 cups chopped Milky Way candy bars (I used the Caramel Apple ones)

1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping

2 Tablespoons flour

4 ounces caramel candies (about 14 squares)

2 Tablespoons heavy cream

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1Tablespoon heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 pan with foil. Spray it with nonstick spray.
Cream the butter, shortening, and sugars until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla.
Sift together the flour, crumbs, baking soda, and salt and slowly add to the butter mixture.
Stir in the candies by hand. Press half the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add the egg, caramel, and flour and beat again. Pour the cheesecake mixture on top of the cookie dough in the pan.
Crumble the rest of the cookie dough gently on top of the cheesecake.
Bake for 45-50 minutes. Let cool on the counter for 1-2 hours. Refrigerate 4-6 hours.
Place the caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan. Heat and stir until melted and creamy. Let cool slightly. Drizzle over the top of the cooled bars.
In a small microwave safe bowl, place the chocolate chips and heavy cream. Heat for 20 seconds. Stir and repeat until melted and smooth.
Place in a bag and cut one corner off. Drizzle over the cookie bars. Let set. Cut into 16 squares. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.