Caramel Cashew Brownies

18 caramels
1/3 cup butter or margarine
2 tablespoons milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped salted cashews

In a saucepan, cook and stir caramels, butter and milk over low heat until the caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in sugar.

Combine eggs and vanilla extract; stir into caramel mixture. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; stir into caramel mixture until blended. Fold in cashews. Transfer to a greased 9-inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 24 to 28 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Yields 25 blondies.