Caramel Pretzel Bites

(Courtesy of Taste of Home)

Ingredients:
2 tsp. butter, softened
4 c. pretzel sticks
2 1/2 c. pecan halves, toasted
2 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. butter, cubed
1 c. corn syrup
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pkg. (11 1/2 oz.) milk chocolate chips
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. shortening, divided
1/3 c. white baking chips

Directions:
Line a 9x13 baking pan with foil; grease foil with butter.  Spread pretzels and pecans on the bottom of the prepared pan.

In a large heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, cubed butter, corn syrup, milk and salt; cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 240 degrees (soft-ball stage).  Remove from heat.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour over pretzel mixture.

In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and 1 Tbsp. shortening; stir until smooth.  Spread over caramel layer.  In microwave, melt baking chips and remaining shortening; stir until smooth.  Drizzle over top.  Let stand until set.

Using foil, lift candy out of pan; remove foil.  Using a buttered knife, cut candy into 72 bite-size pieces.