Apricot Bars

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup dried apricot
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided (1 cup & 1/3 cup)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for garnish (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350 degrees f & grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
• 2 in a small saucepan, cook apricots in water over medium heat for 10 minutes or until softened, then drain, cool & chop, before setting aside.
• 3 in a large bowl, cream butter & powdered sugar until light & fluffy, then gradually add 1 cup of the flour until well blended.
• 4 press into the prepared baking dish & bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
• 5 meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat eggs & brown sugar until blended.
• 6 in another small bowl, whisk together the baking powder, salt & the remaining 1/3 cup of flour, then gradually add this flour mixture to the egg mixture.
• 7 beat in the vanilla, then stir in the apricots & nuts before pouring this mixture over the crust.
• 8 bake for 30 minutes or until set, then cool on a wire rack.
• 9 when cooled, if desired, dust with powdered sugar, then cut into bars. store any left-over bars in the refrigerator.