Nancy's Chocolate Chip Turtle Bars

3/4 c. butter flavored all vegetable shortening
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. salt
1 1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 t. baking soda
1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 T. vanilla
milk
1 egg
1 14 oz. bag caramels, unwrapped
1 T. water

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13"pan with shortening. Place cooling rack on counter-top. Combine shortening, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well-blended. Beat egg into creamed mixture. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix into creamed mixture just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Divide dough into thirds. Pat 2/3 dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Combine caramels and water in small saucepan. Place on very low heat. Stir constantly until caramels melt. Spread caramel mixture over dough in pan to within 1/2" of the edge. Divide remaining dough into measuring teaspoonfuls and drop evenly over the caramel layer. Bake at 350 degrees 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Do not overbake. Loosen from sides of pan with knife. Cool completely on rack. Cut into bars about 1 1/2 X 1 1/2". Makes about 2 dozen bars. Especially good warmed slightly.