Apricot Streusel Bars Recipe

Ingredients for Apricot Streusel Bars

• Dried Apricots
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• All Purpose Flour
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup walnut halves
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• Unsalted Butter

How to Make Apricot Streusel Bars

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spray a 13x9 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
3. In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups dried apricots and 1/2 cup water.
4. Simmer over medium-high heat for 25 minutes, or until water is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Let cool completely.
5. While apricots simmer, prepare the crust: In a food processor, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup walnut halves, and 3/4 cup powdered sugar.
6. Pulse until nuts are finely chopped and mixture is combined.
7. Add 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes.
8. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
9. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture.
10. Press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
11. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges.
12. While the crust bakes, prepare the filling: In the same food processor, combine the cooled cooked apricots, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt.
13. Process until well blended.
14. Pour the apricot filling over the partially baked crust.
15. Sprinkle the reserved 1 1/2 cups of crumb mixture evenly over the filling.
16. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is light golden brown.
17. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into bars.
18. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.