Festive Bars

Makes @ 72 1 to 1-1/4 inch  squares

• 1 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 pound  butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt  

1. Turn a baking sheet upside down and mold aluminum foil over the pan. Turn the pan over and fit into the pan. Place a tablespoon or so of butter on the foil and place the pan into the oven long enough to melt the butter. Remove the pan from the oven and brush teh melted butter to cover the whole expanse of the foil.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until creamy. 
3. Sift together the dry ingredients and add to the creamed butter mixture.
4. Spread in baking sheet.  Bake for in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Cool for 15-20 minutes and top with Festive Bar Topping.

Festive Bar Topping

• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespooons melted butter
• 2/3 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon salt
• 1-11 ounce package of butterscotch morsels
• 1 1/3 cups  mixed candied fruit*
• 1  cup walnuts or pecans, chopped

1. Sift together the dry ingredients. 
2. Beat the egg with the brown sugar until thick. Blend in the milk and melted butter. 
3. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and blend. Spread over the baked layer. 
4. Mix together the butterscotch morsels, candied fruit and chopped nuts and sprinkle over topping. 
5. Return to the oven for 15 minutes. The butterscotch morsels should be slightly melted.
6.  Cool and cut into 1 inch squares

*Nowadays, it can be a bit of a challenge finding candied fruit, but maybe if we all go into our grocery stores and ask for it, it’ll make a comeback, too.

P.S. I made these to bring to our FBLA holiday cookie exchange. You can find links to what everyone else brought an the bottom of this post. Cheers;-)