Apricot Oat Bars Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Place flour and next 4 ingredients (flour through vanilla) in a food processor, and pulse 4 to 5 times or until oat mixture resembles coarse meal. Press half of oat mixture into the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Spread apricot preserves over oat mixture. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over preserves, and gently press. Bake mixture at 350° for 35 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Cool bars completely in pan on a wire rack.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
• Place the apricots in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain. Set aside.
• In work bowl of electric mixer, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda and salt.
• Add butter and beat on low speed until a crumbly mixture is formed, about 1 minute. Place half the mixture into the pan and press firmly into an even layer.
• Spread apricots evenly over surface, then sprinkle remaining crumbs over the top. The pan will be almost full.
• Bake in center of oven until light golden brown, about 50 minutes. Remove to a rack and cool completely (do not cut while warm or bars will be too crumbly). Gently cut into 24 pieces with a small, sharp knife.
• Store in airtight container or cookie tin between layers of parchment or waxed paper.

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 13 by 2-inch metal baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with vegetable oil cooking spray and set aside.
• Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the jam and the apricots. Set aside.
• Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Stir in the oats and walnuts. Add the butter, egg and vanilla and stir until incorporated.
• Using a fork or clean fingers, lightly press half of the crust mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Using a spatula, spread the filling over the crust leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the pan. Cover the filling with the remaining crust mixture and gently press to flatten. Bake until light golden, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool for 1 hour. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.