Best Apricot Bars With Shortbread Crust Recipes

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WINNING APRICOT BARS



Winning Apricot Bars image

This recipe is down-home baking at its best, and it really represents all regions of the country. It's won blue ribbons at county fairs and cookie contests in several states! Easy to make, it's perfect for potluck suppers, bake sales, lunchboxes or just plain snacking.-Jill Moritz, Irvine, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 jar (10 to 12 ounces) apricot preserves

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 195 calories, Fat 10g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 23mg cholesterol, Sodium 72mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

APRICOT BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST



Apricot Bars With Shortbread Crust image

A moist apricot-walnut layer on top of a light buttery shortbread crust. The crust for these bars must be made on a processor. These are wonderful to serve to guests! The apricot filling can be prepared hours in advance. Yield is only estimated depending on the size of bars. Cooking time is for the filling and crust.

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 1h20m

Yield 36 bars

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces (no subs)
4 ounces dried apricots, coarsley chopped
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Set oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
  • For the shortbread crust: blend flour, sugar and salt together for about 10 seconds in a processor.
  • Add in cold butter using on/off turns, and process until coarse meal forms.
  • Press crumbs firmly into bottom of the pan.
  • Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the center is golden, remove and keep oven heat on to same temperature.
  • To make the filling: place apricots in a small saucepan and add enough water to cover; bring to a boil and simmer until soft (about 4 minutes) drain, and set aside.
  • In a small bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Using an electric mixer beat eggs in a large bowl for about 2 minutes.
  • Add in brown sugar and vanilla and beat until thick.
  • Stir in flour mixture.
  • Mix/mix in the apricots and nuts.
  • Spread over the shortbread crust.
  • Bake for about 35 minutes, or until puffed and dark golden brown.
  • Cool in dish.
  • Cut into small squares or triangles, and dust lightly with powdered sugar.

APRICOT SHORTBREAD BARS



Apricot Shortbread Bars image

Apricot Shortbread Bars are the perfect soft, buttery bars with sweet apricot jam spread over the top for a bright summery flavor.

Provided by Sabrina Snyder

Categories     Dessert

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup unsalted butter (, softened)
1 cup sugar
2 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups apricot jam

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8x10 baking dish with baking spray.
  • To your stand mixer add the butter and sugar and cream on medium speed until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add in egg yolks and vanilla extract until creamy.
  • Add flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
  • Spread about half the mixture into the baking dish and press gently.
  • Spread apricot jam over the shortbread.
  • Sprinkle remaining shortbread mixture over the apricot jam.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Cool completely before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 357 kcal, Carbohydrate 52 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 71 mg, Sodium 65 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 30 g, ServingSize 1 serving

APRICOT BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST RECIPE - (4.3/5)



Apricot Bars With Shortbread Crust Recipe - (4.3/5) image

Provided by MJH

Number Of Ingredients 15

CRUST:
1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces ( no subs)
APRICOT LAYER:
4 ounces dried apricots, coarsley chopped
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Set oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish. For the shortbread crust: blend flour, sugar and salt together for about 10 seconds in a processor. Add in cold butter using on/off turns, and process until coarse meal forms. Press crumbs firmly into bottom of the pan. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the center is golden, remove and keep oven heat on to same temperature. To make the filling: place apricots in a small saucepan and add enough water to cover; bring to a boil and simmer until soft (about 4 minutes) drain, and set aside. In a small bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Using an electric mixer beat eggs in a large bowl for about 2 minutes. Add in brown sugar and vanilla and beat until thick. Stir in flour mixture. Mix/mix in the apricots and nuts. Spread over the shortbread crust. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until puffed and dark golden brown. Cool in dish. Cut into small squares or triangles, and dust lightly with powdered sugar.

APRICOT SHORTBREAD BARS



Apricot Shortbread Bars image

This is an old family recipe. We had 3 apricot trees on the farm I grew up on and LOTS of apricots every year. We loved, we ate them fresh, canned, and dried. I still like them better than peaches. I'm sorry the picture is not so good, it looked better in the view finder. :) But these bars are beautiful and delicious.

Provided by Kathie Carr

Categories     Cookies

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 11

SHORTBREAD:
1/2 c butter, softened
1/2 c light brown sugar, packed
1 c all purpose flour
FILLING:
3/4 c dried chopped apricots
1 tsp lemon peel, grated
2/3 c sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
1/3 c slivered almonds
dusting of powdered sugar

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For shortbread: In mixer bowl, with mixer on low speed, combine butter and brown sugar. Mix in flour. Pat this mixture in the bottom of an 8 inch square pan to make a nice even shortbead crust. Bake for 12 minutes or until a light golden brown color. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
  • 2. Meanwhile make filling: Chop apricots or cut them into small pieces with kitchen scissors. Put apricots in a small saucepan with just enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain apricots, reserving 3 tablespoons of the liquid. Put apricots back in pan with reserved liquid, lemon peel, sugar, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Set aside to cool.
  • 3. When both filling and shortbread are cool pour filling over crust and spread evenly. Sprinkle with nuts and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and dust very lightly with powdered sugar. Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting.

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Apricot bars with shortbread crust is a delicious and simple dessert that is perfect for all occasions. These bars combine the sweetness of apricots with the buttery flavor of shortbread crust. They are easy to make and require only a few ingredients. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about apricot bars with shortbread crust recipes.

The History of Apricot Bars with Shortbread Crust Recipes

Apricot bars with shortbread crust recipes have been around for a long time and have become a popular dessert in many cultures. The concept of combining apricots with shortbread crust originated in Europe, particularly in Britain, where apricots were a popular fruit. Over the years, different variations of the recipe have emerged, with some including jam or cream cheese and others including almond flour or nuts.

The Ingredients

The ingredients for apricot bars with shortbread crust recipe are simple and easy to find. You will need all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, salt, fresh apricots, and cornstarch. Some recipes may also include additional ingredients such as almond flour, nuts, or cream cheese.
Shortbread Crust Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Apricot Filling Ingredients
  • 1 pound of fresh apricots, pitted and sliced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

The Process

The process of making apricot bars with shortbread crust is simple and easy to follow. First, you will need to make the shortbread crust by mixing the flour, butter, sugar, and salt in a bowl until a crumbly dough forms. Press the dough into a greased baking dish and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. While the crust is baking, prepare the apricot filling by mixing the sliced apricots, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl until well combined. Once the crust is done baking, spread the apricot filling over the crust and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the filling is set. Allow the bars to cool before cutting into squares and serving.

Variations

Apricot bars with shortbread crust can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences. Here are some variations you can try:
  • Add almond flour to the shortbread crust for a nutty flavor.
  • Add chopped nuts to the shortbread crust for a crunchy texture.
  • Use apricot jam instead of fresh apricots for a sweeter filling.
  • Replace some of the apricots with other fruits such as berries or peaches.
  • Add cream cheese to the apricot filling for a creamier texture.

Conclusion

Apricot bars with shortbread crust recipes are a delicious and easy dessert that you can enjoy any time. They are simple to make and require only a few ingredients. With different variations available, you can easily customize the recipe to your taste preferences. Try making them for your next gathering or party, and your guests will surely love them.
Apricots are delicious, tangy fruits that make for a great ingredient in bars, desserts, and jams. Apricot bars with shortbread crust recipes are easy to make, and they are perfect for sharing with friends and family. While the recipe itself is relatively straightforward, there are some tips and tricks that you should keep in mind to ensure that your apricot bars turn out perfectly.

Tip 1: Use high-quality ingredients

When making apricot bars, it's important to use high-quality ingredients, especially in the crust. Using high-quality butter, flour, and sugar will ensure that the crust is flavorful and crispy. The apricot filling also requires fresh, ripe apricots - using low-quality apricots can result in a lack of flavor and a less-than-ideal texture.

Tip 2: Don't overwork the crust

The crust for apricot bars is a shortbread crust, which means that it is meant to be crumbly and delicate. Overworking the crust can lead to tough and dense bars. Pulse the ingredients in a food processor until just combined, and then use your hands to press the mixture into the pan. Don't worry if the edges are slightly cracked - this is normal and will not affect the final product.

Tip 3: Blind bake the crust

Blind baking the crust is essential for apricot bars. Blind baking means that you pre-bake the crust before adding the filling to ensure that it is fully cooked and crispy. This step will prevent the crust from getting soggy when the apricot filling is added. To blind bake the crust, preheat your oven to 350°F, line the crust with parchment paper, fill the crust with pie weights or dried beans, and bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove the weights and parchment paper and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

Tip 4: Use a food processor to make the filling

Making the apricot filling can be time-consuming, but using a food processor can make the process much quicker and easier. Simply add the apricots, sugar, flour, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to a food processor and pulse until you have a smooth mixture. Be sure not to over-process the mixture - small chunks of apricot in the filling will create a more interesting texture.

Tip 5: Let the bars cool before cutting

It's essential to let the bars cool before cutting them into squares. When the apricot bars first come out of the oven, they will be hot and soft, making them difficult to cut cleanly. Letting the bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes will allow them to firm up and make them easier to cut. You can also chill the bars in the refrigerator before cutting if you're in a hurry.

Tip 6: Experiment with toppings

While apricot bars are delicious on their own, you can experiment with different toppings to enhance the flavor and presentation. A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey can add a touch of sweetness. Chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, can add texture and crunch. You can also serve the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent dessert.

Conclusion

Making apricot bars with shortbread crust is a straightforward recipe, but there are some tips and tricks that you can use to ensure that your bars turn out perfectly. Using high-quality ingredients, not overworking the crust, blind baking the crust, using a food processor for the filling, letting the bars cool before cutting, and experimenting with toppings are all important factors to consider when making this classic dessert. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to create delicious apricot bars that your family and friends will love.

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