French Apricot Cream Cheese Bars
Indulge in the perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and crumbly with these irresistible French Apricot Cream Cheese Bars. This delightful dessert features a buttery, golden crust topped with a smooth layer of sweetened cream cheese, a luscious spread of vibrant apricot preserves, and a crunchy oat-almond crumb topping. Perfectly simple to make, these bars come together with minimal prep, making them an elegant yet easy choice for entertaining or satisfying a weeknight sweet tooth. With just the right amount of sweetness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, these apricot cream cheese bars are destined to become a favorite treat. Serve them chilled for an extra-refreshing bite, and enjoy the sophisticated flavors that bring a touch of French-inspired charm to your dessert table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 0.75 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1.25 cups apricot preserves
- 0.5 cup rolled oats
- 0.25 cup sliced almonds (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and granulated sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a crust.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until it begins to set and is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the partially baked crust.
Warm the apricot preserves slightly in the microwave or on the stovetop to make it easier to spread, then layer it evenly over the cream cheese mixture.
To the reserved 1 cup of crumb mixture, stir in the rolled oats and sliced almonds (if using). Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apricot layer to create the topping.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice into 16 squares and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
377 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 18.2 g | 23% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.7 g | 53% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 48 mg | 16% | |
| Sodium | 52 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 49.6 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.0 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.4 g | ||
| Protein | 3.7 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 26 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 55 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
