Joanne's Apricot Bars
Delicious layered bars featuring a buttery shortbread base topped with a chewy mixture of dried apricots and walnuts. These sweet treats are finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
Ingredients
- •1 spray Nonstick vegetable oil spray
- •1 cup all purpose flour
- •¼ cup sugar
- •1 pinch salt
- •½ cup unsalted butter
- •⅔ cup dried apricot halves
- •⅓ cup all purpose flour
- •½ teaspoon baking powder
- •¼ teaspoon salt
- •2 large eggs
- •1 cup golden brown sugar
- •½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- •½ cup chopped toasted walnuts
- •2 tablespoon powdered sugar
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish with nonstick spray. Blend flour, sugar, and salt in processor. Add butter; using on/off turns, process until coarse meal forms. Press crumbs firmly onto bottom of dish. Bake until center is golden, about 25 minutes. Maintain oven temperature.
25 min
- 2.
Place apricots in small saucepan; add enough water to cover. Boil until soft, about 4 minutes; drain and set aside.
4 min
- 3.
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat eggs in large bowl. Add brown sugar and vanilla; beat until thick. Stir in flour mixture, then nuts and apricots. Spread over shortbread.
10 min
- 4.
Bake cookie until puffed, dark brown, and toothpick inserted into topping comes out with small moist crumbs attached, about 35 minutes. Cool in dish.
35 min
- 5.
Cut cookie into 6 strips, then crosswise into thirds. Transfer to waxed paper. Sift powdered sugar over bars.
5 min
