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Apricot Dessert Bars Recipe

By Barbara Rolek, About.com

Apricot Bars Dessert Recipe

Apricot Bars Dessert Recipe

© 2008 Barbara Rolek licensed to About.com, Inc.

Apricot Dessert Bars is a showcase for apricots, a fruit loved by Eastern Europeans. Traditionally, this was made in my family by boiling dried apricots for 30 minutes and chopping them. But with the high-quality canned apricot fillings available these days, this dessert becomes ultra-easy.

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Makes 9 Apricot Dessert Bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup crushed shortbread cookies or graham crackers
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted, plus 4 ounces (1 stick) butter, softened
  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 (14-ounce) can apricot filling
  • 1/2 pint (1 cup) whipping cream plus 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, whipped
  • 2 tablespoons ground almonds

Preparation:

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cookie crumbs and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Pat into the bottom of a 9-inch-by-9-inch pan. Refrigerate until ready to bake.

  2. Cream 4 ounces softened butter with confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until well incorporated and light.

  3. Spread butter-sugar mixture over chilled crust. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick tests clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.

  4. Spread apricot filling over cooled baked layer. Top with sweetened whipped cream in decorative swirls, if desired. Sprinkle with ground almonds. Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. Cut into 9 squares.
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