Maple Bars

Base:
2/3 c. butter, softened
1/3 c. packed brown sugar
pinch of salt
1 1/3 c. all purpose flour

Topping:
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
3/4 tsp. maple extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. confectioner's sugar 

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and salt until fluffy; stir in flour. Press into parchment paper-lined 13x9-in. cake pan; prick all over with fork.

Bake  until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack.

To make the topping: In a bowl, beat together butter, maple syrup, extract, and vanilla until creamy. Beat in sugar in 2 additions. Spread over base.

Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Cut into bars.