Impress your guests with these beautiful Apricot Bars.
Juicy apricots and crunchy walnuts sit on a crispy shortbread cake. Perfect for an afternoon treat or after-dinner dessert!
We Why Love This Dessert Bar
- FLAVOR - Dried apricots and walnuts are a winning flavor combination.
- TEXTURE - The crunchy shortbread works beautifully with the moist apricot and walnut cake. Sprinkling a light layer of powdered sugar makes it look like a dessert treat from a fancy bakery.
- MAKE A HEAD - This dessert treat can be made a day in advance.
- Perfect as a brunch treat.
Ingredients
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
APRICOTS - You can find dried apricots in most major supermarkets. My favorites are the ones from Costco. They are very flavorful, stay moist for a long time, and are well-priced.
NUTS - Walnuts add a bit of crunch.
FLOUR - all-purpose flour works great for this dessert recipe.
BUTTER - Make sure to use unsalted butter that is chilled. Meaning it should come straight out of the fridge.
SUGAR - For this recipe, we'll use both granulated sugar (for the crust) and brown sugar for the filling.
EGGS - Add to the structure moisture, texture, and richness of the apricot walnut dessert bars.
VANILLA - A splash of vanilla extract adds flavor and aroma.
RELATED RECIPE: Love apricot-filled desserts? Be sure also to check out our incredibly easy 4-ingredient Apricot Tarts.
How To Make Apricot Walnut Bars
- MAKE CRUST - Blend flour, sugar, butter, and salt in a food processor.
- FIRST BAKE - Transfer the dough to a pre-greased baking dish and mold it into the bottom of the dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the center is golden-brown. Remove and set aside.
- MAKE FILLING - Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium-high in a large bowl until creamy. Add flour, baking powder, and salt and combine well. Fold in apricots and walnuts.
- SECOND BAKE - Pour the batter over the pre-baked crust and bake for 30-35 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit. Cool and dust with powdered sugar.
More Delicious Desserts
German Spekulatius Cookies - Winter cookies are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.
Bee Sting Cake - An easy version of a classic German recipe.
Ice Cream Bread - Just 2 ingredients!
Blueberry Cheesecake Bars - A simple-to-make and delicious back-to-school snack.
Pistachio Cookies - A really easy cookie made with a pudding mix.
Apricot Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter 1 stick, chilled, cubed
Apricot Topping
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried apricots coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup walnuts chopped
Dusting
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar optional
Instructions
Prep
- Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish. Set aside.
Crust
- Combine flour, sugar, and butter in a food processor. Add a pinch of salt. Process in a food processor until well combined and crumbly.
- Transfer the dough to a pre-greased baking dish and mold it into the bottom of the dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the center is golden-brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Topping
- Use a large mixing bowl and beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium-high until creamy. Add flour, baking powder, and salt to the creamy eggs and combine well. Stir in apricots and walnuts.
- Pour the batter over the baked baselayer. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit. Once cool, dust with confectioner's sugar. Cut into squares and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi There, I’m Maike!
A German girl turned American sharing hundreds of easy, homemade comfort food recipes perfect for everyday cooking.
Trish
My Mom used this same recipe and I have been using it for over 50 years. They are delicious…Always a hit!