My friend Kathy shared this recipe with me; I don't know the original source. This recipe is the most delicious preserves recipe I've found! I give jars as gifts on the holidays. It is well worth the time needed for preparation. If very firm fruit is used, the apricot halves will often still be intact when finished. If soft fruit is used, this will be a thick "jam" with lots of yummy bits of apricot.