Joanne's Apricot Bars

Ingredients

• 0.3 cup flour 
• 0.5 teaspoon double-acting baking powder 
• 2 large eggs 
• 1 cup brown sugar packed ()
• 18 servings powdered sugar 
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 0.3 cup sugar 
• 0.5 cup butter unsalted chilled cut into 1/2-inch cubes (1 stick)
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 0.5 cup walnuts toasted chopped

Equipment

• bowl
• sauce pan
• oven
• hand mixer
• toothpicks
• glass baking pan

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish with nonstick spray. Blend flour, sugar, and salt in processor.
2. Add butter; using on/off turns, process until coarse meal forms. Press crumbs firmly onto bottom of dish.
3. Bake until center is golden, about 25 minutes. Maintain oven temperature.
4. Place apricots in small saucepan; add enough water to cover. Boil until soft, about 4 minutes; drain and set aside.
5. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat eggs in large bowl.
6. Add brown sugar and vanilla; beat until thick. Stir in flour mixture, then nuts and apricots.
7. Spread over shortbread.
8. Bake cookie until puffed, dark brown, and toothpick inserted into topping comes out with small moist crumbs attached, about 35 minutes. Cool in dish.
9. Cut cookie into 6 strips, then crosswise into thirds.
10. Transfer to waxed paper. Sift powdered sugar over bars.