Decadent Apricot Walnut Shortbread Bars
Indulge in these Decadent Apricot Walnut Shortbread Bars, featuring a rich, buttery shortbread crust that cradles a luscious layer of moist apricot and walnut filling. The perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors makes these bars an irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether you're serving them at a summer gathering or enjoying them during afternoon tea, their delightful texture and taste will surely impress your guests. Prepare the apricot filling ahead of time for a stress-free baking experience. Yield is estimated based on the size of the cut bars.
N/A
Servings
60
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
1 cup (for crust)
sugar
1/3 cup (for crust)
salt
1 pinch (for crust)
cold butter
1/2 cup (cut into pieces (no substitutes))
dried apricots
4 ounces (coarsely chopped)
flour
1/3 cup (for filling)
baking powder
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/4 teaspoon
large eggs
2
light brown sugar
1 cup (packed)
vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon
walnuts
1/3 cup (chopped)
powdered sugar
to dust
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2
For the shortbread crust, combine 1 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt in a food processor. Pulse for about 10 seconds to mix.
3
Add the cold butter pieces and pulse on and off until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4
Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish, ensuring it's compact.
5
Bake the shortbread crust for approximately 25 minutes, or until it turns golden brown in the center. Remove from the oven but keep it at the same temperature.
6
To prepare the filling, place the coarsely chopped dried apricots in a small saucepan and add enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 4 minutes until the apricots are softened. Drain and set aside.
7
In a separate small bowl, sift together 1/3 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
8
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs for about 2 minutes. Once fluffy, add in the packed light brown sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until thick and smooth.
9
Gently stir in the sifted flour mixture until just combined, then fold in the softened apricots and chopped walnuts.
10
Spread the apricot filling evenly over the baked shortbread crust.
11
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 35 minutes, or until the filling is puffed and dark golden brown.
12
Allow the bars to cool completely in the dish, then cut into squares or triangles. Dust with powdered sugar before serving for a touch of elegance.
Nutrition Information
2.8
Fat
8
Carbs
1
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Apricot Walnut Shortbread Bars?
They are a dessert featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with a moist, sweet filling of apricots and walnuts.
What size baking dish is required for this recipe?
You should use an 8x8-inch baking dish for these bars.
How should I prepare the baking dish?
Grease the dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent the shortbread from sticking.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How do I make the shortbread crust?
Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor, then pulse in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Can I use a butter substitute in the crust?
The recipe specified using cold butter with no substitutes for the best results.
How long does the crust need to bake initially?
The shortbread crust should be baked for approximately 25 minutes until it is golden brown in the center.
How do I prepare the dried apricots for the filling?
Coarsely chop the dried apricots and simmer them in water for about 4 minutes until softened, then drain.
What is the first step for the filling after the apricots are ready?
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate small bowl.
How long should I beat the eggs for the filling?
Beat the eggs for about 2 minutes with an electric mixer until they are fluffy.
What type of sugar is used in the filling?
The filling calls for one cup of packed light brown sugar.
When do I add the vanilla extract?
Mix the vanilla extract into the egg and brown sugar mixture until it is thick and smooth.
How should I incorporate the flour into the filling?
Gently stir in the sifted flour mixture until it is just combined with the egg mixture.
When are the walnuts added?
Fold the chopped walnuts and the softened apricots into the filling after the flour is combined.
How much walnut is needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts.
How long do the bars bake after adding the filling?
Bake the bars for an additional 35 minutes once the filling has been spread over the crust.
How do I know when the bars are done?
The filling should be puffed and have a dark golden brown color.
Should the bars be cooled before cutting?
Yes, allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting them into squares or triangles.
What is the final garnish for these bars?
Dust the bars with powdered sugar before serving for a touch of elegance.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 60 calories.
How much fat is in each bar?
There are 2.8 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
Each serving has about 8 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein do these bars provide?
Each bar provides 1 gram of protein.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the apricot filling ahead of time to make the baking process stress-free.
Is the crust mixture supposed to be dough-like?
No, it should resemble coarse crumbs before being pressed firmly into the dish.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include apricot, walnut, shortbread, bars, cookie, dessert, baking, party treat, sweet, and nutty.
What is the flavor profile of these bars?
They offer a perfect balance of sweet fruit and nutty flavors with a rich, buttery base.
How much baking powder is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder in the filling.
What is the purpose of pulsing the food processor for the crust?
Pulsing helps mix the dry ingredients and cut the cold butter into crumbs without overworking the dough.