French Apricot Cream Cheese Bars

Name: French Apricot Cream Cheese Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 package French vanilla cake mix (regular size); 1/3 cup butter, melted; 1 egg; FILLING:; 1 jar (10 to 12 ounces) apricot preserves; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 egg, lightly beaten

My sister-in-law gave me her recipe for apricot cream cheese bars years ago. They’re so yummy, I like to include them with all of the cookies and candy on my Christmas goodie tray.

Ingredients

1 package French vanilla cake mix (regular size)
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 egg
FILLING:
1 jar (10 to 12 ounces) apricot preserves
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, lightly beaten

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, butter and egg until crumbly. Remove 1-1/2 cups and set aside. Press remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Spread apricot preserves over warm crust.
In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add egg; beat on low speed just until combined. Drop by spoonfuls and spread over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until center is almost set and topping is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 128 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 131mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

Originally published as French Apricot Cream Cheese Bars in Taste of Home Christmas Annual 2013

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ebramkamp

Nov 24, 2013

I made this the other night and my sister and husband declared them delicious. They were delicious. I did add one half of a tsp of vanilla to the cake mix portion. I think next time I make them I will add a bit of coconut to the reserved crumb mixture.