first place apricot-date bars

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Judi Harris-Nulle
Montana City, MT

This was in my mother's handwritten cookbook. It's a family favorite and so yummy! It won First Place at the Jefferson County Fair on August 28, 2010.

(1 rating)
yield 6 serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 30 Min

Ingredients For first place apricot-date bars

  • FIRST PLACE APRICOT-DATE BARS
  • CRUMB MIXTURE
  • 3/4 c
    melted shortening
  • 1 c
    brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 2 c
    all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp
    baking soda
  • 2 c
    old-fashioned oats
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1 tsp
    vanilla
  • APRICOT FILLING
  • 1 c
    pitted dates cut into small pieces
  • 1
    8 ounce package dried apricots, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 c
    brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1/2 c
    kern's apricot nectar

How To Make first place apricot-date bars

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • 2
    For the crumb mixture, in a large bowl blend shortening, sugar and vanilla. Sift flour, soda, and salt and add to bowl. Add the oatmeal; work well with hands. Press 1/2 of the mixture onto a medium greased cooking sheet, pressing down firmly.
  • 3
    For the apricot filling, put the pitted dates, dried apricots, brown sugar, and apricot nectar in a sauce pan and cook for about 5 minutes until thick. Stir constantly as it can easily burn. The apricot nectar should evaporate while it cooks. Cool slightly (about 5 minutes) before spreading on crumb mixture. Once cool, spread apricot mixture on top of the crumb mixture. Top with the rest of the crumb mixture, pressing down firmly. Bake for 30 minutes or until top is brown. Cool before cutting and serving.

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