Nutty Apricot Bars

• Ready In: 10 mins
• Yields: 48 bars

Ingredients

• 12  ounces  dried apricots
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 3⁄4 cup butter, softened (or margarine)
• 1  cup sugar
• 2  cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3  ounces coconut flakes
• 1⁄2 cup pecans or 1⁄2 cup walnuts, chopped

Directions

1. Cover apricots with water, and bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes or until tender.
2. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup liquid.
3. Coarsely chop apricots, and set aside. Combine reserved apricot liquid and 3/4 cup sugar in a saucepan; simmer 5 minutes.
4. Stir in chopped apricots.
5. Cream butter; gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating at medium speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
6. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; add floured mixture to creamed mixture, mixing well (mixture will be crumbly). Stir in coconut and pecans.
7. Pat about three-fourths of coconut mixture into and ungreased 13x9-inch pan.
8. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
9. Spread apricot mixture evenly over crust, spreading to within 1/4 inch from edge of pan.
10. Sprinkle with remaining coconut mixture. Bake an additional 30 minutes.
11. Let cool in pan; chill.
12. Cut into bars.
13. Store in refrigerator.