FILLING:

1 1/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. pecans, finely chopped
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

CRUST:

1 1/2 c. flour
2/3 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2/3 c. butter
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
:
1 pkg. (12 oz.) chocolate chips

Filling: In medium bowl combine sugar and pecans. Add remaining ingredients and stir until well blended. Set aside.

Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixer bowl combine crust ingredients and beat at low speed until crumbly. Press crumbs into bottom of ungreased 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Turn off oven.

Let crust cool 2 to 3 minutes. While still warm spread filling evenly over crust. Sprinkle chocolate chips over filling and return pan to warm oven for 2 minutes or until chocolate has softened. Remove from oven and spread chocolate evenly. Cool on wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 3 dozen.