Chocolate Chip Fruit and Nut Bars
Makes 36 bars

Prep Time: 15 min.
Baking Time: 30 min.

Ingredients

• 1/2 - cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 - cup packed light 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
• VANILLA BUTTER FILLING (recipe below)
• 1/2 - cup chopped candied red or green maraschino cherries
• 1/4 - cup chopped dried apricots
• 1/4 - cup raisins
• 3/4 - cup Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/2 - cup coarsely chopped nuts

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until creamy.
2. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt.
3. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended and spread evenly into prepared pan.
4. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned; remove from oven.
5. Do not turn oven off. Cool crust about 5 minutes.
   Meanwhile, prepare VANILLA BUTTER FILLING and spread evenly over crust.
6. Sprinkle cherries, apricots, raisins, chocolate chips and nuts over top.
7. Return to oven and bake 15 minutes or until center is set.
8. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

VANILLA BUTTER FILLING
Makes about 2/3 cup filling

Ingredients

• 2 - Tablespoons sugar
• 2 - Tablespoons milk
• 1 - Tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
• 1 - egg
• 1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 - cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 - teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 - teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Beat sugar, milk, butter, egg and vanilla in small bowl until smooth.
2. Add flour, baking soda and salt; beat until well blended.