Apricot Bars

Apricot bars are one of those unique treats that could be a dessert, snack at home or something special to bring to a picnic or potluck. In this contest-winning recipe, apricot takes center stage thanks to the apricot preserves providing fruity flavor and color. They’re like a little bit of sunshine in dessert form.

Ingredients for Apricot Bars

• Butter: Soften the butter ahead of time for this recipe. The butter helps make the bars tender and delightful.
• Sugar: Sugar adds sweetness to the bars and also helps them brown while baking.
• Egg: Room temperature eggs add moisture and help the ingredients stick together. They also contribute to the structure of the bars.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds just a hint of vanilla flavor to the bars.
• All-purpose flour: Standard all-purpose flour is perfect for making these apricot bars. The flour is the base for the non-fruity parts of this bar.
• Baking powder: Baking powder adds air bubbles that make the cake-like part more airy as it bakes.
• Sweetened shredded coconut: Shredded coconut adds a little sweetness, texture and flavor to the bars.
• Chopped walnuts: Walnuts provide the crunch in these tasty bars; they’re also good sources of protein, iron magnesium and vitamin B6.
• Apricot preserves: Apricot preserves provide the fruity flavor in these delicious dessert bars.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients

Preheat the oven to 350 F°. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, for five to seven minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla.

Step 2: Combine the wet and dry ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder; gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed ingredients, mixing well. Fold in the coconut and walnuts.

Step 3: Bake the apricot bars

Press 2/3 dough into the bottom of a greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Spread preserves over the dough and then crumble the remaining dough over the preserves. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let the dish cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cut the cooled dessert into bars.

Apricot Bar Variations

• Sprinkle with sugar: Dust the top of the baked bars with confectioners’ sugar for a finishing touch.
• Top with cinnamon and sugar: Mix cinnamon and sugar together and sprinkle it over the top of the bars before baking. The flavors will bake into the bars a little bit.
• Spice things up: Add a little cinnamon and ginger or nutmeg to the dough for added flavor. It’ll smell amazing as it bakes, too!
• Swap preserves: Change the fruit preserve and you’ll change the entire flavor of the bars! Try cherry, blueberry or peach for delicious variations.

How to Store Apricot Bars

Cover and store the apricot bars in the refrigerator and enjoy them within three to four days.

Can you freeze apricot bars?

Yes. Place them in an airtight container or freeze them for several hours on a cookie sheet until they’re hard. Then, transfer them to portion-sized storage containers or zippered freezer bags, pressing out the excess air. They’ll keep for about three months frozen. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before enjoying them again.

Apricot Bars Tips

I love the taste of apricots. What else can I make with them?

Apricots are one of those unique fruits that tastes delicious but isn’t usually on the weekly grocery list. To enjoy them more often, make your own apricot jam or some lovely apricot almond tartlets. Crunchy apricot coconut balls are amazingly good as well and they’re a no-bake recipe. These wonderful apricot recipes offer even more ideas.

Why do my bars break apart when I take them out of the pan?

One way to prevent them from breaking is to cut them into bars when they’re cold. Chill them in the fridge for an hour or two, cut them and then let them warm to room temperature on the counter.

Could I use apricot jam instead?

Sure, though the texture of the fruity parts will be a bit different. Preserves have larger chunks of fruit than jams. Jellies, on the other hand, are more like gelatin.