Chocolate Brittle

2 cups butter
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
12 (1.05 ounce) milk chocolate candy bars
3 cups chopped pecans

Combine butter, sugar and water in a Dutch oven; cook over low heat until candy thermometer registers 300 degrees F.

Remove from heat and immediately pour into 2 buttered 12-inch pizza pans. Melt chocolate in top of a double boiler over hot water. Spread over brittle; sprinkle pecans evenly on top. Press pecans into chocolate. Let stand until chocolate is firm. Break candy into pieces.

Yields 4 pounds.