Caramel Bars...or Caramel Pecan Bars

Tonight we really wanted a sweet snack, but we hadn't been to the store because of all the Christmas festivities. I found this recipe that used ingredients that we had on hand. I also got a new brownie pan that I wanted to try out (it works!). They turned out to be amazing. My husband kept eating them each time he walked by the plate....I think he kept walking by so he could eat them!
The original recipe was for Caramel Pecan Bars, but my husband doesn't like nuts. I figured you can't go wrong with caramel, so I just left them out!

1/2 cup butter (could use imitation)
1 cup plus 2 Tbl brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla (I used imitation)
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
Optional: 1 cup chopped pecans, powdered sugar

• Over medium heat, heat butter and brown sugar until sugar dissolves
• In bowl, combine eggs, vanilla, and butter mixture.
• Combine flour and baking powder, add gradually to butter mixture.
• Stir in pecans if desired---I didn't use these
• Spread into 8x8 pan (or special brownie pan, if you have one)
• Bake @350 for 20-25 minutes or until tooth pick in center comes out with moist crumbs and edges are crisp. 
• Cool on wire rack.
• Dust with powdered sugar if desired---I didn't do this