Apricot Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. (6 oz.) dried apricots
1/2 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. water
3/4 c. margarine
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. sifted flour
1/4 tsp. salt
blanched almonds
shredded coconut

Preparation

Combine apricots, sugar and water in saucepan.
Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until tender and most of liquid is absorbed (approximately 20 minutes).
Sieve fruit and set aside. Cream margarine and brown sugar together until fluffy.
Add vanilla and blend.
Sift flour and salt together and slowly add to creamed mixture.
Spread batter evenly on bottom of 9 x 9 x 2-inch greased pan.
Spread sieved apricots over batter.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 25 to 30 minutes.
Cut into 1 x 2-inch pieces.
Decorate with almonds and/or coconut.
Makes 20 bars.