Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Apricot Oatmeal Bars



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...These cookies have much to recommend them.  The recipe for them was developed by Giada DeLaurentis and it has received rave reviews on the Food Network Site. I especially like these fruit bars because they transport well, and while I think they're  delicious, I take certain precautions to assure great results that everyone will enjoy. I only make these cookies when I have really good apricot jam or preserves in my pantry.  Fortunately, I have a friend who sends me several jars of my favorite preserves at Christmas time. They are made by Harvest Song and they have the ability to make an ordinary fruit bar truly outstanding. This  recipe also works well with dried cherries and cherry preserves. These bars are completely dependent on the quality of the ingredients  used to make them and I urge you to not to stint if you decide to give them a try. Make sure your jam tastes more of fruit than sugar and that you use a good butter with a low moisture content. The cookies come together quickly and they will keep for several days if they are properly stored. I think you will like these and I hope you will give them a try. Here's the recipe.

Apricot Oatmeal Bars...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Giada DeLaurentis

Ingredients:

Filling
1 (13-ounce) jar apricot jam or preserves (about 1-1/4 cups)
8 dried apricots, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1/3 cup)
Crust
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 packed cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1-3/4 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup (4 ounces) coarsely chopped walnuts
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 egg, at room temperature, beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:
1) Move an oven rack to center of oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13 x 2-inch metal baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray. Line bottom and sides of pan with parchment paper. Spray parchment paper with vegetable oil cooking spray and set aside.
2) To make filling: Mix jam and snipped apricots together in a small bowl. Set aside.
3) To make crust: Whisk flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda together in a large bowl. Stir in oats and walnuts. Add butter, egg and vanilla and stir until incorporated.
4) Using a fork or clean damp fingers, lightly press half of crust mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Using a spatula, spread filling over crust leaving a 1/2-inch border around edge of pan. Cover filling with 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.









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31 comments :

Katarina said...

Once again a lovely recipe!

Veronica Miller said...

These seem like an old-timey kind of dessert, which I LOVE. Thanks for the tip on using quality ingredients-I've been known to skimp.

Diane said...

These sound like the perfect bars for us to take with us when we go cycling. Thanks for this one. Diane

Epicurea said...

i just happen to have a jar of the best austrian apricot jam in my pantry... maybe this is a sign to make these beauties :-)? hope you had a pleasant easter holiday!

Rita said...

This is a keeper for me; I love apricots and I this must be wonderful; thank you so much for sharing this one Mary.
Rita

Manu said...

Beautiful bars, I love apricot jam...
Have a nicxe day

Tanna said...

A friend recently brought us some apricot bars from a bakery and Evan loved them. I'm so glad you posted this today! I'm saving it for a special treat for him. ;) blessings ~ tanna

Sylvia said...

Is such a good and delicious recipe. Thanks for share

Kim said...

I actually saw Giada on tv preparing these and it's true that these looks amazing! I'm printing a copy of this recipe!

Salsa Verde said...

Fantastic recipe Mary.Thanks for sharing it with us!!
Cheers,
Lia.

Unknown said...

They look amazing, Mary!

Bites from life with the barking lot said...

I love apricot bars and it's been so long since I made them! These look wonderful and I even have some great jam! Can't wait to make!

Priya Suresh said...

Super healthy bars,feel like having some.

Gloria Baker said...

love these apricots bars dear Mary!! have a nice day!

Claudia said...

I need friends who send my grand quality preserves during the holidays! I do love the idea of fruit-filled bars and noting this because they are wonderfully portable and "portable season" is coming.

Tricia @ saving room for dessert said...

Oh these look yummy! I know I could put the hurt on a pan of these :)

Suzie said...

Oh I bet my friends at work would like these!

Adam said...

These look and sound terrific. How do you think the flavour would hold up with a more tart fruit? Say cranberries ?

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

They look and sound absolutely wonderful!

Ginny Hartzler said...

These look really good. So many of the health bars and granola and oatmeal bars in the store are not really good for you at all!

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

they look great perfect for our breaks at work!

Lenia said...

They look heavenly!Greetings from Greece,dear!

Fifi Flowers said...

Suddenly HUNGRY! Yummy!

Nina said...

Wow thats a great recipe....perfect bars for a perfect evening:)

Eileen said...

Those sound great! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I always know you'll have something yummy and today is no exception - love all the ingredients in here! Healthy but delicious sounding!

Joanne said...

I actually do have some apricot jam in the fridge that needs using (good stuff). Perfect timing!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I think I will make these for my "Saturday Girls" this week. Thanks, Mary.

Balvinder said...

What a coincidence I do have a small bottle of Apricot jam, which no one eats.this is a great way to use it.

France@beyondthepeel said...

I'll keep these in mind the next time I have some good jam around. they look lovely.

tender b. said...

I keep meaning to make me some oatmeal bars. Maybe this is what I need...

These would be great for snacking on runs or bike rides through the woods.

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