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Aunt Frances's Apricot Bars

Source of Recipe


My Great-Aunt's recipe, not sure where she got it from?






List of Ingredients



• 1 C (2 sticks) plus 3 T unsalted butter at room temperature
  
• 1/2 C plus 3 T confectioners' sugar
  
• 1 3/4 C flour
  
• 3 T ground almonds
  
• 1 t salt
  
• Non-stick cooking spray
  
• STREUSEL INGREDIENTS:
  
• 1 1/2 C flour
  
• 1/3 C granulated sugar
  
• 1 t baking powder
  
• 1/2 t salt
  
• 1/2 C (1 stick) butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
  
• 1 egg, beaten
  
• FILLING:
  
• 16 Ounces apricot jam
  






Instructions



1. Prepare the crust. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth.
   
   
2. In another bowl, combine flour, almonds and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, stirring just until blended (dough will be slightly crumbly). On a sheet of plastic wrap, shape dough into a 5-by-7-inch rectangle. Wrap dough and chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
   
   
3. Just before baking, coat 9X13" baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Line pan with parchment paper.
   
   
4. On a clean sheet of plastic wrap, roll out chilled dough into a 9X13" rectangle. Holding the end of the plastic wrap, invert the dough onto the parchment-lined pan. Remove plastic wrap and press dough into the bottom of the pan, repairing any cracks or tears in the dough. Chill for 20 minutes.
   
   
5. Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven until crust is a light golden-brown, about 18 to 20 minutes.
   
   
6. Remove from oven. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
   
   
7. Make the streusel: In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt.
   
   
8. Using a fork, cut butter into flour mixture until butter pieces are the size of dimes. Stir in egg. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
   
   
9. Assemble the cookies: Spread apricot jam over cooled crust, leaving a 1/8" border of clean crust around the edges. Evenly crumble streusel mixture over jam to cover.
   
   
10. Return pan to oven until streusel is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
    
    
11. Let cool completely before slicing.
    
    






Final Comments


I remember these bars from my childhood, I had a great-aunt that always made them for me. Brings back memories!