Brandied Cranberry Apricot Bars Recipes

BRANDIED CRANBERRY-APRICOT BARS

Steps:

• In a 4 cup glass measuring bowl combine raisins, cranberries, apricots, and brandy or water.
• Cover with plastic wrap; turn back a corner to vent.
• Cook on high for 2 minutes.
• (Or, place fruit and brandy in a saucepan; bring to boiling. Remove from heat.) Let stand for 20 minutes.
• Drain.
• For crust, in a medium mixing bowl stir together 1 cup flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar.
• Cut in margarine or butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press into an ungreased 8x8x2-inch baking pan.
• Bake in a 350* oven about 20 minutes.
• or till golden.
• In a medium bowl beat eggs with a mixer on low speed for 4 minutes.
• ;stir in the 1 cup brown sugar, the 1/2 cup flour, and vanilla.
• Add drained fruit and nuts; stir to mix.
• Pour mixture over crust; spread evenly.
• Bake about 40 minutes.
• or till a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, covering with foil the last 10 minutes.
• to prevent over-browning.
• Cool.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
• To serve, cut into squares.
• Makes 16 bars.

APRICOT-CRANBERRY-NUT BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 9-inch square pan. Place bread mix in large bowl. With pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg; mix well. Reserve 1 cup mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture evenly in bottom of greased pan.
• In small bowl, combine all filling ingredients; stir gently to mix (do not break up cream cheese). Spread filling evenly over base. With fingers, crumble reserved mixture and sprinkle evenly over filling; press lightly.
• Bake at 350°F. for 30 to 35 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

CRANBERRY-APRICOT BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line 8-inch square pan with foil; spray foil with cooking spray. In large bowl, beat crust ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Press in pan.
• Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix filling ingredients.
• Remove partially baked crust from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Spread filling evenly over crust.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes longer or until mixture is set and appears glossy. Cool completely, about 45 minutes. For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.

CRANBERRY-ALMOND-APRICOT BARK

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a sheet of waxed paper.
• Place chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Combine cranberries, almonds, and apricots in a bowl. Add to melted chocolate and mix until well combined.
• Spread chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Place baking sheet in the refrigerator until chocolate has completely hardened, about 1 hour. Break into pieces.

CRANBERRY-APRICOT BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350. Line an 8 inch square pan with foil, spray with cooking spray.
• In large bowl beat crust ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Press in pan.
• Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix filling ingredients.
• Remove partially baked crust from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 325. Spread filling over crust.
• Bake 9 to 12 minutes longer or until mixture is set and appears glossy. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.

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.