Apricot Streusel Bars Recipe 55

WINNING APRICOT BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Fold in coconut and walnuts., Press two-thirds of dough onto the bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread with preserves; crumble remaining dough over preserves. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

APRICOT-DATE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix oats, flour, 1 cup brown sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in butter until mixture is crumbly.
• Press a little over half of the crumbly mixture into the bottom of a 10x15-inch baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until starting to brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Combine remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, dates, apricots, and orange juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir until thickened, breaking up any clumps, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Cool filling slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Drop spoonfuls of warm filling over the crust. Spread evenly with an offset spatula. Sprinkle remaining crumbly mixture evenly over the filling; press gently into the filling.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Cut into 1-1/4x2-inch bars with a pastry cutter while still hot. Cool bars in the pan, about 20 minutes.

APRICOT STREUSEL BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium saucepan, combine apricots and water; simmer, uncovered, over medium-high heat for 25 minutes or until water is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Cool.
• While apricots are simmering, make the crust: Place 2 cups flour, walnuts, and and 3/4 cup powdered sugar in food processor; process until blended and nuts are finely chopped. Add butter; process until mixture resembles coarse crumbs (DO NOT process until mixture becomes smooth). Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture. Press remaining mixture in bottom of pan.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned around edges.
• While crust is baking, finish making the filling: Place cooked apricots in same food processor (you do NOT need to wash it first). Add eggs, lemon juice, sugar, 1/3 cup flour and salt; process until blended.
• Pour filling over crust. Sprinkle reserved 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture over the top. Return to oven; bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes, or until filling is set and top is light brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

APRICOT OATMEAL BARS, JUST LIKE YOU REMEMBER!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
• Place the apricots in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain. Set aside.
• In work bowl of electric mixer, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda and salt.
• Add butter and beat on low speed until a crumbly mixture is formed, about 1 minute. Place half the mixture into the pan and press firmly into an even layer.
• Spread apricots evenly over surface, then sprinkle remaining crumbs over the top. The pan will be almost full.
• Bake in center of oven until light golden brown, about 50 minutes. Remove to a rack and cool completely (do not cut while warm or bars will be too crumbly). Gently cut into 24 pieces with a small, sharp knife.
• Store in airtight container or cookie tin between layers of parchment or waxed paper.