Winning Apricot Bars

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling

Makes

2 dozen

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
This recipe is down-home baking at its best, and it really represents all regions of the country. It's won blue ribbons at county fairs and cookie contests in several states! Easy to make, it's perfect for potluck suppers, bake sales, lunchboxes or just plain snacking.—Jill Moritz, Irvine, California

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1-1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 jar (10 to 12 ounces) apricot preserves

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Fold in coconut and walnuts.
  2. Press two-thirds of dough onto the bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread with preserves; crumble remaining dough over preserves. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Test Kitchen Tips
  • To soften butter super-quick, partially unwrap the butter (use the wrapped half as a handle to keep your hand clean) and shred it using the largest holes of your box grater. The butter will reduce to a fluffy heap and soften faster. Shredded butter is ready to use in your recipe right away.
  • Do you know the difference between jam and preserves? Preserves contain larger chunks—whole small fruit or big pieces of larger fruits—suspended in a thick gelled syrup. While jams are often made with bruised or squashed fruit (it's getting cooked anyway), preserves can showcase a perfect fruit.
  • Hungry for more? Try these apricot recipes that are a step above the rest.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 bar: 195 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 72mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.