Apricot Oatmeal Bars – Kelly Maher

This is a long time family favorite, and especially of those family friends who have been fortunate enough to receive them as part of gifts. The best part is how simple it is!

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Crumb mixture:

1 1/4 /c flour

1 1/4 C Oats

1/2 C sugar

3/4 C butter, melted

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t salt

2 t vanilla

Filling: 10oz jar apricot preserves

1/2 C flaked coconut

Begin by heating the oven to 350 degrees. Assemble the crumb mixture.

You can do this by hand, by hand mixer or by stand mixer. No matter how you assemble it, avoid overmixing. Take one cup of the crumb mixture and set it aside for use later. Grease a 9" by 13" pan. Using the main batch of crumb mixture, spread it evenly across the bottom of the pan. Combine the filling ingredients, and then spread the resulting mix on the crumb crust, keeping about a half inch between the filling and the pan edge. Take the 1 cup of crumb mixture you had set aside, and then spread it over the filling in a random pattern.

You want it looking crumby and not like a flat second layer. Place the pan into the oven and bake for 22 to 27 minutes, or until the edges of the crust are browned. I'd strongly recommend waiting until these are cooled a little bit before eating so that you don't burn your mouth with hot sugar.

 

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http://www.kellymaher.com