Best Apricot Bars Recipes

WINNING APRICOT BARS

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.

APRICOT JAM BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
• Beat butter and caster sugar together in a bowl until smooth; beat in egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract.
• Whisk flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture until a smooth dough forms.
• Press 1/2 of the dough into the prepared baking dish. Spread apricot jam evenly over the dough. Drop remaining dough in small spoonfuls evenly over the jam.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 25 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into squares and serving.

APRICOT-ORANGE SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan; line bottom and sides of pan with parchment paper, extending over sides. Butter parchment. Mix preserves and orange liqueur in small bowl; set aside.
• Using electric mixer, beat 1 cup butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Beat in almond extract. Add flour and salt; beat just until blended. Transfer 1 cup of dough to another small bowl; add crumbled almond paste and mix with fingertips until small clumps form. Mix in 1/4 cup sliced almonds; set aside for topping.
• Press remaining dough evenly onto bottom of prepared pan. Spread preserves mixture evenly over. Using fingertips, coarsely crumble topping over preserves, then sprinkle 1/4 cup almonds over. Press topping lightly into preserves.
• Bake shortbread until top and crust edges are golden brown, about 1 hour. Cool completely in pan on rack. Using parchment paper as aid, lift shortbread from pan. Cut shortbread into 4 equal strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 8 small bar cookies. (Can be prepared ahead. Store in single layer in airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.)

APRICOT PASTRY BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. , In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks, 2 egg whites, milk and vanilla; gradually add to crumb mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide in half, making one portion slightly larger., Roll out larger portion of dough between two large sheets of waxed paper into a 17x12-in. rectangle. Transfer to an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Press pastry onto the bottom and up the sides of pan; trim pastry even with top edges. Spread apricot filling over dough; sprinkle with walnuts. , Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pan; place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edges. Cut slits in top. Whisk remaining egg white; brush over pastry. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. , Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

APRICOT GINGER CRUMBLE OAT BARS (GLUTEN FREE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch baking dish and line with parchment paper; grease parchment paper.
• Whisk flour, almond meal, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Add oats, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup white sugar; whisk to blend and break up clumps of brown sugar. Pour melted butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract over flour mixture; stir with a spatula until moistened.
• Press 2/3 of the flour mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to make the crust.
• Whisk 1/3 cup white sugar and cornstarch together in a small bowl. Add apricots and ginger and toss to coat.
• Spread apricot mixture over the crust. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 of the flour mixture on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown and crisp and filling is bubbling, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars, about 25 minutes.

APRICOT SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and sugar. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm. While the crust is baking, place apricots in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for 10 minutes.
• Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the liquid. Return the apricots and reserved liquid to the pan, and stir in the lemon zest. Mix together the sugar and cornstarch, and stir into the apricot mixture. Bring to a boil, and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Spread onto the prepared crust, and sprinkle the walnuts over.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm to the touch. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

APRICOT-DATE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix oats, flour, 1 cup brown sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in butter until mixture is crumbly.
• Press a little over half of the crumbly mixture into the bottom of a 10x15-inch baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until starting to brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Combine remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, dates, apricots, and orange juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir until thickened, breaking up any clumps, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Cool filling slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Drop spoonfuls of warm filling over the crust. Spread evenly with an offset spatula. Sprinkle remaining crumbly mixture evenly over the filling; press gently into the filling.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Cut into 1-1/4x2-inch bars with a pastry cutter while still hot. Cool bars in the pan, about 20 minutes.

APRICOT CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Process shortbread cookies in the bowl of a food processor until finely ground. Press into a 9x13-inch baking pan.
• Beat eggs and sugar together in a bowl. Add ricotta cheese, cream cheese, and vanilla extract. Mix well. Stir in apricots and spread over crust.
• Bake in the preheated oven until puffed up and the edges are slightly brown, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine sour cream and apricot jam in a bowl. Set aside.
• Remove the cheesecake from the oven and spread jam topping on top while still hot. Chill until set, 1 to 2 hours. Cut into 24 bars.

ALMOND, APRICOT AND WHITE CHOCOLATE DECADENCE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms. Spread dough in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat almond paste and sugar with electric mixer on low speed until crumbly but blended. Add apricots; beat on low speed just until combined. Add cream cheese, 2 eggs and the lemon juice; beat on medium speed until well blended. Pour over warm cookie base.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until set. Cool 30 minutes.
• Place baking chips in small bowl. In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream just to boiling over low heat, stirring occasionally; pour over baking chips. Let stand 1 minute. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour and spread over filling. Sprinkle with almonds. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

APRICOT OATMEAL BARS, JUST LIKE YOU REMEMBER!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
• 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.
• In work bowl of electric mixer, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda and salt.
• 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.
• Spread apricots evenly over surface, then sprinkle remaining crumbs over the top. The pan will be almost full.
• 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.
• Store in airtight container or cookie tin between layers of parchment or waxed paper.

APRICOT ALMOND SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Beat butter and sugar in mixer bowl until fluffy.
• Beat in egg yolks and vanilla and almond extracts.
• Mix in flour and toasted almonds until the mixture forms a soft dough.
• Divide dough in half.
• Press one half into 15x10-inch jellyroll pan.
• Spread evenly with preserves.
• Cover completely with remaining dough (flatten pieces with hands and carefully patch on top of preserve layer).
• Bake 45 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Cut into 3x1-inch bars.
• Can be made ahead.
• Wrap and freeze up to 1 month.
• Thaw wrapped at room temperature.

APRICOT ALMOND BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter, brown sugar and salt until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Press onto bottom of a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Spread with preserves., In another bowl, beat almond paste and sugar on low speed until blended. Beat in vanilla and eggs, one at a time. Pour over preserves., Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in almond layer comes out clean. Cool slightly on a wire rack., Meanwhile, place chocolate in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil; pour over chocolate. Stir with a whisk until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar, butter and vanilla; beat until smooth., Spread over warm bars. Cool completely before cutting.

APRICOT-CHERRY BARS WITH OATMEAL CRUMBLE TOPPING

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position; heat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 13-by-9-inch Pyrex baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar and salt. Stir in butter with a fork until well mixed and clumps have formed. Spread 1 1/2 packed cups of oat mixture over the bottom of the pan, pressing to form a thin crust.
• Mix coconut, almonds, cherries, apricots and milk in a large bowl. Pour over crust, using a rubber spatula to evenly distribute and press down. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over dried fruit filling.
• Bake until lightly golden, about 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature. (You can cover and store at room temperature up to 2 days.)
• To serve, cut into generous 1 1/2-inch squares.

APRICOT BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST

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.

FRENCH APRICOT CREAM CHEESE BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, butter and egg until crumbly. Remove 1-1/2 cups and set aside. Press remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish., Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Spread apricot preserves over warm crust., In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add egg; beat on low speed just until combined. Drop by spoonfuls and spread over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture., Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until center is almost set and topping is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cut into bars.

APRICOT CREAM CHEESE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Prepare 9x11 glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Next mix rolled oats with margarine, flour, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar, using your hands. Mixture should be loose but not dry. You should be able to make a ball and have it stick without it falling apart. Press half of this mixture into the bottom of the pan. Set side the other half for topping.
• Now mix together apricots, water, white sugar, and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Place in saucepan on the stove on medum-high for 30 minutes until the apricots are soft and mushy.
• Next mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla in small mixing bowl. Mix it well. Pour it over the base.
• Pour the apricot mixture over the cream cheese mixture. Finally, crumble remaining oat mixture on top.
• Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.
• Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

APRICOT MUD HEN CAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour and salt; beat into creamed mixture. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 12-15 minutes., Meanwhile for meringue, with clean beaters, beat egg whites with cream of tartar on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form; gently fold in pecans., Spread preserves over hot cake. Spread meringue over preserves, sealing meringue to edges of pan. Bake until meringue is golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

JOANNE'S APRICOT BARS

Steps:

• For shortbread layer:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish with nonstick spray. Blend flour, sugar, and salt in processor. Add butter; using on/off turns, process until coarse meal forms. Press crumbs firmly onto bottom of dish. Bake until center is golden, about 25 minutes. Maintain oven temperature.
• Meanwhile, prepare apricot layer:
• Place apricots in small saucepan; add enough water to cover. Boil until soft, about 4 minutes; drain and set aside.
• Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat eggs in large bowl. Add brown sugar and vanilla; beat until thick. Stir in flour mixture, then nuts and apricots. Spread over shortbread.
• Bake cookie until puffed, dark brown, and toothpick inserted into topping comes out with small moist crumbs attached, about 35 minutes. Cool in dish.
• Cut cookie into 6 strips, then crosswise into thirds. Transfer to waxed paper. Sift powdered sugar over bars.

ALMOND, APRICOT AND WHITE CHOCOLATE DECADENCE BARS (COOKIE MIX)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F
• In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms.
• Spread dough in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch pan.
• Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until set.
• Cool 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat almond paste and sugar with electric mixer on low speed until crumbly but blended.
• Add apricots; beat on low speed just until combined.
• Add cream cheese, 2 eggs and the lemon juice; beat on medium speed until well blended.
• Pour over warm cookie base.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until set.
• Cool 30 minutes.
• Place baking chips in small bowl.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream just to boiling over low heat, stirring occasionally; pour over baking chips.
• Let stand 1 minute.
• Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.
• Pour and spread over filling.
• Sprinkle with almonds.
• Refrigerate about 2 hours or until set.
• For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows.
• Store covered in refrigerator.

APRICOT CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, process graham crackers, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in melted butter until crumbs are moistened. Wipe processor bowl clean. With a flat-bottomed 1-cup measure or glass, press crumbs evenly into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake until crust is firm, 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 325 degrees.
• In a small saucepan, bring apricots, 1/4 cup sugar, and pinch of salt to a boil over medium-high, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture is shiny, 10 minutes. In food processor, puree apricot mixture, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon water.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sour cream on medium until smooth. Add 3/4 cup sugar and beat until smooth. Add vanilla and pinch of salt and beat to combine. Add eggs and beat until smooth, scraping down bowl as needed. Pour cream-cheese mixture into cooled crust and smooth top.
• Randomly drop small spoonfuls apricot puree on cream-cheese mixture. With a skewer or thin-bladed knife, gently swirl puree. Bake just until set, about 25 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan on rack, then refrigerate until chilled and firm before cutting into squares, 2 hours.