Gooey Butter Bars

BASE:
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 large egg

FILLING:
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp
1 pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1 large egg
1/3 cup flour

Preheat oven to 350�F and lightly grease 9" square baking pan with butter. Sift flour, salt and baking soda. Using electric mixer on medium speed, cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, 1 1/2 minutes, then scrape bowl. Add egg and beat smooth. Add flour mixture and beat on low speed until blended. Using floured spatula, spread dough evenly over bottom of prepared pan. Set aside.

Prepare filling: With mixer on medium speed, cream butter, salt and vanilla together until light and fluffy, about 1 minutes. Scrape bowl well. Add condensed milk and blend on low, then add corn syrup and beat until mixed. Scrape bowl, then add egg and beat on 1 1/2 minutes at medium high until mixture is light and fluffy. On medium low speed, add flour and beat until mixed. Pour filling evenly over base and bake on center rack of oven until edges appear set but center is still jiggly, 25-27 minutes. Cool to room temp, then refrigerate until set, about 4 hours. Cut into 2x1 1/2 inch bars.

Makes 24.