Apricot-Coconut Cookie Bars

These Apricot-Coconut Cookie Bars are a scrumptious, ooey-gooey, delicious treat. They have a shortbread-type crust, and the delicious chewy apricot and coconut just explode flavor in your mouth.  This recipe would be great for potlucks, holidays, picnics, or just a guilty pleasure snack. They don't take long to whip up a batch, but taste like you have worked hours in the kitchen. There are many different flavors you could use if apricot and coconut are not for you. Try cranberry and orange, or cranberry with dark or white chocolate, also try using figs or raisins and any type of nuts. The possibilities are endless.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Category: Appetizer, Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
• Cuisine: American
• Cooking Method: Bake, Mix it up

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened (125g baker's measure . I used unsalted butter, you can use whatever you like )
• 1/4 cup sugar ( 50g baker's measure)
• 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (181g baker's measure I used unbleached all-purpose flour, you can use what you like)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder (2.4g baker's measure)
• 1/4 tsp salt (1.4g baker's measure)
• 2 large eggs, well beaten (114g baker's measure)
• 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk (397g baker's measure)
• 1 1/3 cup flaked coconut (181g baker's measure)
• 1 cup finely chopped dried apricots (128g baker's measure. I used dried apricot, but you can use any dried fruit you want. )

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350*F.
2. In a medium-size bowl, combine butter or margarine, sugar, and 1 cup flour. With two knives or a pastry blender, cut ingredients together until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
3. Press pastry evenly on the bottom and 1 inch up sides of a buttered 9 inch pan.
4. Bake in a moderate 350*F oven for about 25 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and set aside. Hold oven at 350*F.
6. Into a mixing bowl, sift together baking powder, salt, and 1/3 cup flour.
7. Stir in eggs, sweetened condensed milk, coconut, and apricots; mix well.
8. Pour mixture evenly over the baked pastry. Return to oven. Bake 35 minutes, or until the top is firm.
9. Cool in pan. Cut into squares and Enjoy!