This recipe for apricot bars is a real winner, with its sweet, buttery, and soft layers that will leave you craving another bite. The rich flavors of the apricot filling and crumbly texture make these bars a perfect dessert or snack any time of day.
Table of Contents
With a perfect apricot flavor and a crumbly texture, these apricot crumble bars are a sweet treat that you’ll love sinking your teeth into. Plus, they’re a great way to use up canned apricots and apricot juice, making them a thrifty and tasty option for your next baking project.
If you’re a fan of fruit bars, then these apricot bars are right up your alley. They share the same sweet, rich characteristics as my blackberry crumble bars and cranberry bars and are just as easy to make. And if you’re looking for even more fruity dessert options, my cherry bars might also pique your interest.
This recipe was found in the 10th Grand National Cookbook from PIllsbury’s bake-off cookbook. In my research, the 10th bake-off was in 1959. Canned apricots are not a normal purchase for me, but they were worth it to make this recipe!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavors: This recipe brings together the classic combination of sweet apricots, butter, and walnuts in a dessert that’s hard to resist.
- Family Favorite: These apricot crumble bars have been a hit in my family for years. They’re the perfect sweet treat for any occasion, and they’re easy to make too.
- Time-Tester: This is a tried and tested recipe that never fails to impress. It’s a classic dessert that’s always a hit at potlucks and parties.
- Comfort Food: There’s something so comforting about a warm, homemade dessert. These apricot bars are the perfect way to end a meal on a sweet note.
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Key Ingredients
- Canned Apricots: These will be the star of our dessert, providing a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the buttery crumb base.
- Apricot Juice: Reserved from the canned apricots, this will add an extra punch of apricot flavor to our bars.
- Granulated Sugar: This will sweeten our dessert and help to thicken the apricot mixture.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of our crumble, will give our dessert its structure.
- Salt: A pinch of salt will enhance the flavors of the other ingredients, making our dessert more delicious.
- Baking Soda: This will help our crumble bars rise a little bit, giving them a lighter texture.
- Butter: This will give our dessert a rich, buttery flavor and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Coconut Flakes: These will add a bit of crunch and a hint of tropical flavor to our bars.
- Walnuts: Chopped walnuts will add a delicious nutty flavor and a bit of extra crunch to our dessert.
Equipment
- 13×9 Pan: You’ll need this to bake your apricot crumble bars. Make sure to grease it well so the bars don’t stick.
- Large Bowl: This is where you’ll mix your flour, salt, and baking soda, and also where you’ll blend your crumble mixture.
- Small Stock Pot: This is essential for thickening the apricot mixture on the stovetop.
How to Make Apricot Bars
Preparation
Start by preheating your oven to 400˚ F and greasing a 13×9 baking pan. You’ll also need to drain the canned apricots and reserve 1/4 cup of the apricot juice.
Step 1 – Prepare the Apricot Filling
Combine the drained apricots, 3/4 cup of sugar, and the reserved apricot juice in a stockpot. Cook this mixture over medium heat until it thickens, which should take about 5 minutes.
Step 2 – Prepare the Crumble Mixture
In a bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and 1 cup of sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Then, blend the flour mixture with the butter mixture to form crumbles. Stir in the coconut and walnuts.
Step 3 – Pre-Bake the Crust
Press 3 cups of the crumble mixture into your greased 13×9 baking pan. Bake this in your preheated oven for 10 minutes.
Step 4 – Assemble the Apricot Bars
After pre-baking, remove the crust from the oven and spread the apricot mixture over it. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top of the apricot layer.
Step 5 – Bake the Apricot Crumble Bars
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Step 6 – Cool and Cut the Bars
Once baked, remove the apricot bars from the oven and let them cool. Once cooled, cut them into bars and enjoy this deliciously sweet and rich dessert.
Expert Tip
To ensure a smooth, delicious middle layer in your apricot crumble bars, mash the apricots in the stockpot while thickening. This extra step will give your bars a more uniform and satisfying texture.
Recipe Variations
- Different Fruit: Try this apricot bars recipe with canned apples or other canned fruits. Just follow the recipe as directed, substituting the apricots with your fruit of choice for a delicious twist. I highly recommend apples or any other canned fruits.
- Try Other Nuts: Feel free to experiment with different nuts in this recipe. If you’re not a fan of walnuts, try using almonds or pecans for a different flavor profile in your apricot crumble bars.
- Coconut-Free: If you’re not a fan of coconut, you can omit it from the recipe without any other changes. Your apricot bars will still turn out delicious with a different texture.
What to Serve With
- For a classic dessert combination, serve these apricot bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creamy, cool ice cream pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy flavor of the apricot crumble bars.
- If you’re looking for a lighter option, top your apricot bars with a dollop of whipped cream. The fluffy, airy texture of the whipped cream compliments the rich, buttery crumble and the fruity apricot filling.
- For a fun twist, crumble the apricot bars and use them as a topping for yogurt or oatmeal. It adds a sweet, crunchy element to your breakfast or snack.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use fresh apricots for this recipe, but keep in mind that the canned apricots provide a softer texture which works well in the bars. If using fresh apricots, you might want to cook them a bit longer to soften.
It’s best to let the apricot bars cool completely before cutting into them. This helps them to firm up and hold their shape better. It usually takes about 30 minutes to cool, but you can also refrigerate the bars for a firmer texture.
Yes, you can use a different type of nut if you prefer. Almonds or pecans would be a good alternative. Just make sure to chop them to a similar size as the walnuts for even distribution in the crumble.
The apricot mixture is ready when it has thickened and reduced in volume. It should be similar in consistency to a fruit jam. This usually takes about 5 minutes over medium heat. Keep stirring to prevent the mixture from sticking to the pot.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerate: After enjoying these delicious apricot crumble bars, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will keep well at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freeze: If you’re not planning to finish the bars within 2 days, you can freeze them for later. Simply place the cut bars in a freezer-safe container with a sheet of parchment paper in between the layers to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen apricot crumble bars, let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour.
More Fruit Desserts You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This apricot bar recipe yields a delicious dessert for about 18 people.
- How to Scale: If you want to serve more than 18, you can easily double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Just make sure to use a larger stockpot to thicken the apricot mixture and a bigger baking pan to accommodate the increased quantity.
Apricot Bars
Ingredients
- 30 oz canned apricots
- ¼ Cup apricot juice reserved from canned apricots
- 1 ¾ Cup granulated sugar divided
- 2 Cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ Cup butter
- ½ Cup coconut flakes
- ½ Cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚ F. Grease a 13×9 baking pan.
- Drain the apricots into a bowl to reserve the juice. Add to a small stockpot, the apricots, ¾ Cup sugar, and ¼ cup reserved apricot juice. Stir over medium heat repeatedly until thickened. This will take about 5-10 minutes.
- Mix the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, cream the butter and 1 Cup sugar for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Blend in the flour mixture to form crumbles. Stir in the coconut and walnuts to form the crumble mixture.
- To the greased 13×9 baking pan, press in 3 cups of the crumble mixture. Bake in a 400˚ F oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and spread the apricot mixture over the partially baked crust. Sprinkle with the remaining crumb mixture. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Cool and cut into bars.
