APRICOT PASTRY BARS

Apricot Pastry Bars image

Perfect for a casual gathering or fancier event, this recipe from field editor Nancy Foust of Stoneboro, Pennsylvania is a crowd-pleaser. "These special bars were among 40 kinds of cookies and bars I made for my niece's wedding reception," she says.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h20m

Yield about 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup shortening
3 large eggs, separated
1/4 cup 2% milk
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cans (12 ounces each) apricot filling
1 cup chopped walnuts

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 125 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 63mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.