Holiday Fruit Bars with Vanilla Filling

Ingredients

Bars

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mixed candied fruit
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts

Vanilla Filling

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Bars

1. Cream butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla extract in a bowl until light and fluffy.
2. Add mixture of flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Spread in a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 minutes or until light brown.
4. Cool.
5. Spread with Vanilla Filling.
6. Sprinkle fruit, chocolate chips and nuts over filling.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
8. Cool completely.
9. Cut into bars.

Vanilla Filling

1. Combine sugar, milk, butter, vanilla extract and egg in a small mixer bowl.
2. Beat until smooth.
3. Add flour, baking soda and salt.
4. Beat until blended.