chocolate chip fruit and nut bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup candied cherries, red and green, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup dried apricots
• VANILLA BUTTER FILLING
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt