Apricot Oatmeal Bars, Just Like You Remember!

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups dried apricots, chopped (about 15 to 16 ounces)
• 4 cups flour
• 3 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350 degrees. spray bottom of a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan with non-stick cooking spray. set aside.
• 2 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.
• 3 in work bowl of electric mixer, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda and salt.
• 4 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.
• 5 spread apricots evenly over surface, then sprinkle remaining crumbs over the top. the pan will be almost full.
• 6 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.
• 7 store in airtight container or cookie tin between layers of parchment or waxed paper.