Heavenly Apricot Cherry Crunch Bars
Indulge in the delightful layers of sweet and nutty flavors with these Heavenly Apricot Cherry Crunch Bars. Originally featured in the USA Weekend newspaper in December 2004, this delectable bar cookie combines chewy dried cherries and apricots with a crunchy oat and almond base, all brought together with a creamy coconut topping. Perfect for gatherings or as a midday snack, these bars offer a satisfying combination of textures and tastes. Just a gentle reminder: be cautious of the occasional stray cherry pit nestled within the deliciousness.
N/A
Servings
70
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
1 cup (measured)
old-fashioned oats
1 cup (measured)
light brown sugar
3/4 cup (packed)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (measured)
unsalted butter
8 tablespoons (melted)
sweetened flaked coconut
2 cups (measured)
sliced almonds
2 cups (measured)
dried cherries
2 cups (sliced)
dried apricots
2 cups (coarsely chopped)
sweetened condensed milk
21 ounces (measured)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and adjust a rack to the lower-middle position.
2
Prepare a 13"x9" glass baking dish by spraying it with vegetable cooking spray. Set it aside for later use.
3
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, light brown sugar, and salt. Stir well to ensure the ingredients are evenly mixed.
4
Pour the melted unsalted butter into the dry mixture and mix it using a fork until the mixture is well blended, forming clumps.
5
Take 1 1/2 packed cups of the crumbly mixture and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a thin, even crust.
6
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweetened flaked coconut, sliced almonds, dried cherries, coarsely chopped dried apricots, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir until all ingredients are blended thoroughly.
7
Gently pour the fruit and almond filling over the baked crust, spreading it out evenly and pressing it down to secure it in place.
8
Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the top of the fruit filling, ensuring even coverage.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown.
10
Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
11
These bars can be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days.
12
When ready to serve, cut the cooled bars into 1 1/2" squares for easy enjoyment.
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
10g
Carbs
1g
Protein
4g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Heavenly Apricot Cherry Crunch Bars?
Heavenly Apricot Cherry Crunch Bars are layered dessert bars featuring a crunchy oat and almond base, chewy dried cherries and apricots, and a creamy coconut topping.
Where did the recipe for these bars originate?
This recipe was originally featured in the USA Weekend newspaper in December 2004.
At what temperature should I preheat the oven?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (160°C).
Which oven rack position is best for baking these bars?
It is recommended to adjust your oven rack to the lower-middle position for baking.
What size baking dish is required?
You will need a 13 inch x 9 inch glass baking dish.
How should I prepare the baking dish?
The baking dish should be prepared by spraying it with vegetable cooking spray.
What ingredients are used to make the crust?
The crust and topping mixture consists of all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, light brown sugar, salt, and melted unsalted butter.
What kind of oats should be used in this recipe?
The recipe calls specifically for 1 cup of old-fashioned oats.
How much of the oat mixture is used for the bottom crust?
Take 1 1/2 packed cups of the crumbly oat mixture and press it into the bottom of the prepared dish.
What ingredients are in the fruit filling?
The filling includes sweetened flaked coconut, sliced almonds, dried cherries, chopped dried apricots, and sweetened condensed milk.
How many dried cherries are needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of sliced dried cherries.
How should the dried apricots be prepared?
The 2 cups of dried apricots should be coarsely chopped.
What type of milk is used for the bars?
The recipe uses 21 ounces of sweetened condensed milk to bind the fruit and nuts.
How much coconut is used in the recipe?
You will need 2 cups of sweetened flaked coconut.
Are there any nuts in these bars?
Yes, the recipe includes 2 cups of sliced almonds.
How long do the Heavenly Apricot Cherry Crunch Bars bake?
The bars should bake for approximately 30 minutes.
How do I know when the bars are finished baking?
The bars are done when the top is lightly golden brown.
How should the bars be cooled?
Allow the baked bars to cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
How should these bars be stored?
These bars can be stored, covered, at room temperature.
What is the shelf life of these bars at room temperature?
They can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.
What size should I cut the bars?
For easy enjoyment, it is recommended to cut the cooled bars into 1 1/2 inch squares.
Is there a safety warning regarding the ingredients?
Yes, be cautious of occasional stray cherry pits that may be found within the dried cherries.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains 70 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each bar has 3g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 10g of carbohydrates in each serving.
How much sugar is in each bar?
There are 4g of sugar per serving.
What is the protein content of these bars?
Each bar contains 1g of protein.
Is salted or unsalted butter used?
The recipe calls for 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients used to make these bars.
How do you mix the crust ingredients?
The dry ingredients are combined in a bowl, then melted butter is mixed in with a fork until the mixture forms clumps.