75% more luscious than regular apricot bars! (I… I can’t back that up. Yet.)
A family recipe provided by Jennifer Kiel of Washington, DC, from her mother-in-law’s collection, started in Kent, Ohio.
Luscious Apricot Bars
2/3 c. dried apricots
1/2 c. soft butter
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/3 c. sifted flour
1 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped almonds (Have substituted coconut)
Rinse and chop apricots; cover with water; simmer 10 minutes. Drain, cool, and chop.
Combine butter, 1/4 c. sugar and 1 c. flour; mix until crumbly. Pack into greased 9″ square pan. Bake in 375 degree oven 20 min.
Gradually beat brown sugar into eggs. Sift together remaining flour, baking powder and salt. Add to egg/brown sugar mixture; mix well. Add vanilla, 1/4 c. almonds and apricots. Spread on baked layer. Sprinkle with remaining nuts. Bake in moderate oven, 350 degrees, 20 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars or 1 1/2″ squares. If you wish, dust with confectioners sugar. Makes 30 bars.