Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Apricot Almond Bars

Teresa Ambra

Teresa’s Bake Shop – Christmas Cookie Extravaganza – 2012

Apricot Almond Bars are delicious cookie bars to die for! There are lots of wonderful apricot preserves and sliced almonds in a thin shortbread-type crust. Every single bite is so scrumptious.  We love these gooey bars and have made them so many times for our Christmas Cookie Extravaganza. This year is no exception. We get a tremendous amount of feedback every time we make these scrumptious bars. Everyone just LOVES them!

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I found this amazing recipe in a Taste of Home cookbook in the early 1990s. I’ve made a few adjustments, but overall it’s still pretty close to the original recipe. Back in the 1990s I rarely tried a recipe without a picture, but this was one where I did. Was my family ever glad that we tried them. We could not resist eating one or two or three of these fabulous cookie bars. And when we started shipping them out to family, they loved them too.

As you can tell, Apricot Almond Bars are one of our favorite cookies that we make each year. We really think you will enjoy them too. They are relatively easy to assemble. The most difficult part is cutting these bars.

They do come out of the pan easier if you refrigerate them first, although I left mine to cool for several hours and didn’t have any problem. As I stated earlier they are a little gooey in the middle so be prepared to lick your fingers as you transfer these goodies from the dish they’re baked in to a plate.

When I initially posted this recipe in November 2012, I was still using an iPhone 3 for a camera so my pictures were a little blurry and not as crisp as I would have liked. Also I used way too many Christmas props so the eyes glazed over from so much stuff. 🙁

I recently remade this recipe (August 2016) and decided to take a few new pictures as well. These bars are so delightful and gooey. If you enjoy apricots you’re bound to love these blondies.

Jump to Recipe
Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Apricot Almond Bars have always been one of our most requested Christmas Cookie recipes!

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Here’s a tray of these tasty treats. We recommend freezing these bars before cutting them because they are quite gooey.

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

There are lots of almonds amid delicious apricot preserves.

Here’s what I did.

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

I used these ingredients.

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Soften butter. You can also melt the butter. I usually make it half way between softened and melted as it’s easier to work with the crust ingredients this way. Add powdered sugar and UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour. Bleached flour toughens cookies. 

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Stir to combine.

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Pat mixture in bottom and up sides of greased 9×13″ baking dish. 

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Remove from oven.

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

While crust is baking prepare  apricot filling: add eggs to a mixing bowl. Add sugar, vanilla, softened butter and apricot preserves.

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Whisk all the ingredients together and set aside. Once the crust comes out of the oven you will pour the apricot mixture over top and then cover with sliced almonds.

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Add apricot mixture over top of hot, baked crust. Spread carefully.

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Sprinkle apricot mixture with almonds.

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Bake about 20 minutes at 350. Cool completely before cutting into bars. I usually refrigerate or freeze these bars before cutting as the bars are too gooey to work with otherwise.

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Apricot Almond Bars are great gifts during the holiday season. But these ingredients are easy to purchase any time of the year so you don’t have to confine yourself to making these tasty treats only during the holidays!

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

If you enjoy the flavor of apricots, you’ll love these bars.

Here’s the recipe.

APRICOT ALMOND BARS

(Recipe adapted from the Taste of Home Cookbook 1994 edition—but not the annual cookbook series)

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Apricot Almond Bars

Teresa Ambra
Apricot Almond Bars are a family favorite recipe. These rich, decadent and spectacular bar-type cookies have a crust layer, an apricot filling and they're topped with lots of sliced almonds. Great for holiday baking or as a dessert any time of the year.
3.95 from 20 votes
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 143 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 2 large mixing bowls
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 electric mixer if desired

Ingredients
  

CRUST:

  • 1 1/2 cups UNBLEACHEDall-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
  • 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened

TOPPING:

  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 8-10 oz. apricot preserves
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3/4 to 1 cup sliced almonds as desired

Instructions
 

CRUST:

  • In a mixing bowl, beat flour, confectioners' sugar, and butter.
  • Pat into the bottom and ½ inch up the sides of a 9x13” baking pan that has been sprayed well with cooking spray.
  • Bake at 350° oven for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.

TOPPING:

  • Beat egg, granulated sugar, apricot preserves, butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl until smooth.
  • Spread over hot crust.
  • Sprinkle evenly with almonds.
  • Bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes or until set.
  • Cool.

Notes

NOTE: I usually freeze or refrigerate these bars in order to cut them. They are quite gooey otherwise.
 
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 8mgPotassium: 42mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 223IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
Keyword almonds, apricot, brownie, cookie, dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Apricot Almond Bars[/b]
Recipe Type: Cookies, Brownies and Bars
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from [url href=”http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/apricot-almond-bars” target=”_blank” title=”apricot almond bars”]Taste of Home[/url]
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 24
Rich, decadent and spectacular bar-type cookie with a crust layer, an [url href=”http://www.jeffersonimages.com/blackburnsproducts/tabid/56/default.aspx” target=”_blank”]apricot[/url]filling and topped with lots of sliced [url href=”https://fishernuts.com/” target=”_blank”]almonds[/url]. Great for holiday baking or as a dessert any time of the year.
Ingredients
  • [b]CRUST:[/b][br]
  • 1 ½ cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
  • ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened[br]
  • [b]TOPPING:[/b][br]
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 8-10-oz. [url href=”http://www.jeffersonimages.com/blackburnsproducts/tabid/56/default.aspx” target=”_blank”]Blackburn’s[/url] apricot preserves
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ tsp. vanilla
  • 3/4 – 1 cup [url href=”https://fishernuts.com/” target=”_blank”]Fisher[/url] sliced almonds
Instructions
  1. [b]CRUST:[/b][br]
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat flour, sugar, and butter.
  3. Pat into the bottom and ½ inch up the sides of a 9×13” baking pan that has been sprayed well with cooking spray.
  4. Bake at 350° oven for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.
  5. [b]TOPPING:[/b][br]
  6. Beat egg, sugar, preserves, butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl until smooth.
  7. Spread over hot crust.
  8. Sprinkle with almonds.
  9. Bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes or until set.
  10. Cool.
Notes
I usually freeze or refrigerate these bars in order to cut them. They are quite gooey otherwise.
Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Apricot Almond Bars are rich, decadent and scrumptious!

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

These luscious bars are an excellent choice for dessert any time of the year!

Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Apricot Almond Bars are the real deal. We love them.

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Apricot Thumbprint Cookies

Apricot Thumbprint Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious #cookies are family favorites. Perfect for any #holiday, potluck, baby shower or other party. #apricot #dessert

Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies

Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these are some of our favorite #christmas #cookies. These thumbprint cookies have #apricot preserves in the center. #dessert

Apricot Pie Crust Cinnamon Rolls

Apricot Pie Crust Cinnamon Rolls | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #CinnamonRolls are made with #PieCrust & #ApricotJam. They're really spectacular for a weekend, company or #holiday #breakfast. Every bite will have you drooling! #cinnamon #HolidayBreakfast #Christmas #NewYearsDay #ApricotPieCrustCinnamonRolls
Apricot Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #cookie bars are fantastic. #Apricot preserves are layered on a shortbread crust and sprinkled with #almonds. We love to make these for the #holidays. #dessert

Apricot Almond Bars

Teresa Ambra
Apricot Almond Bars are a family favorite recipe. These rich, decadent and spectacular bar-type cookies have a crust layer, an apricot filling and they're topped with lots of sliced almonds. Great for holiday baking or as a dessert any time of the year.
3.95 from 20 votes
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 143 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 2 large mixing bowls
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 electric mixer if desired

Ingredients
  

CRUST:

  • 1 1/2 cups UNBLEACHEDall-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
  • 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened

TOPPING:

  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 8-10 oz. apricot preserves
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3/4 to 1 cup sliced almonds as desired

Instructions
 

CRUST:

  • In a mixing bowl, beat flour, confectioners' sugar, and butter.
  • Pat into the bottom and ½ inch up the sides of a 9×13” baking pan that has been sprayed well with cooking spray.
  • Bake at 350° oven for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.

TOPPING:

  • Beat egg, granulated sugar, apricot preserves, butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl until smooth.
  • Spread over hot crust.
  • Sprinkle evenly with almonds.
  • Bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes or until set.
  • Cool.

Notes

NOTE: I usually freeze or refrigerate these bars in order to cut them. They are quite gooey otherwise.
 
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 8mgPotassium: 42mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 223IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
Keyword almonds, apricot, brownie, cookie, dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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