Apricot Streusel Bars

Submitted by Lynne the Pirate Queen

"I clipped this from a magazine years ago, and just now came across it again. I was introduced to the wonders of apricot in baked goods by my grandmother, who made an apricot-filled pastry every Christmas. Ever since, I have a weakness for apricot in my holiday cookies, and so I'm always looking for new recipes to add to my collection. Though I haven't tried this one yet, I just know it's a winner -- with a walnut crust and a tangy apricot filling, how could these bars be anything but scrumptious? :)"

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 12
• Yields: 48 bars
• Serves: 48

ingredients

• FILLING

• 1 (6 ounce) package dried apricots (about 1 cup)
• 1 cup water
• 4 eggs
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• CRUST

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• 3⁄4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled, cut up

• GARNISH

• powdered sugar

directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium saucepan, combine apricots and water; simmer, uncovered, over medium-high heat for 25 minutes or until water is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Cool.
2. While apricots are simmering, make the crust: Place 2 cups flour, walnuts, and and 3/4 cup powdered sugar in food processor; process until blended and nuts are finely chopped. Add butter; process until mixture resembles coarse crumbs (DO NOT process until mixture becomes smooth). Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture. Press remaining mixture in bottom of pan.
3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned around edges.
4. While crust is baking, finish making the filling: Place cooked apricots in same food processor (you do NOT need to wash it first). Add eggs, lemon juice, sugar, 1/3 cup flour and salt; process until blended.
5. Pour filling over crust. Sprinkle reserved 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture over the top. Return to oven; bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes, or until filling is set and top is light brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Reviews

[LARavenscroft]

Made for Went to Market Tag. These were wonderful. The apricot filling was just right. My food processor isn't large enough to combine all the crust ingredients so I just put about 1/3 of the flour with the nuts (used pecans because I didn't have walnuts) and processed until the nuts were ground fine and then continued to mix the rest of the crust in a large bowl. Also, was able to make this gluten free by using 1/3 brown rice flour, 1/3 tapioca flour and 1/3 cornstarch and adding 1 tsp xanthan gum. I took these to work for a carry-in and they were gone in no time. Several people asked for the recipe and I was more than happy to share. Thanks for posting this Lynne