Luscious Apricot Squares
Indulge in the irresistible charm of Luscious Apricot Squares, a delightful dessert that combines buttery crumb layers and a vibrant, tangy apricot filling. Perfectly balanced with a golden oat-strewn topping, these squares are crafted with real dried apricots, simmered to velvety perfection and sweetened with a hint of brown sugar and lemon juice for a refreshing citrusy kick. A quick 20-minute prep and a simple baking technique make this recipe perfect for busy bakers looking to impress. Whether served as a mid-afternoon treat with tea or a standout addition to your dessert table, these fruity bars are guaranteed to brighten up any occasion with their luscious flavor and homemade charm.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces dried apricots
- 1.5 cups water
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.75 cup rolled oats
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a medium saucepan, combine dried apricots and water. Simmer over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until the apricots are soft and the water is mostly absorbed. Remove from heat and blend the mixture until smooth. Stir in brown sugar and lemon juice, then set aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until the dough comes together.
Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Reserve the remaining dough for the topping.
Spread the apricot filling evenly over the crust.
Mix the reserved dough with the rolled oats to create a crumbly topping. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apricot layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Allow the apricot squares to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift them out of the pan using the parchment overhang and cut into 16 squares.
Serve and enjoy your Luscious Apricot Squares with a cup of tea or coffee!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3461 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 103.4 g | 133% | |
| Saturated Fat | 57.1 g | 286% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 248 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 1456 mg | 63% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 624.2 g | 227% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 39.4 g | 141% | |
| Total Sugars | 331.2 g | ||
| Protein | 47.8 g | 96% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 313 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 21.1 mg | 117% | |
| Potassium | 4246 mg | 90% | |
*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.
