Apricot Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (6 oz.) pkg. dried apricots
1/2 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. water
3/4 c. butter
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
almonds (blanched) or coconut (optional)

Preparation

Cook over low heat the apricots, sugar and water until apricots are tender and most of the water is absorbed, approximately 20 minutes.
Sieve fruit; set aside.
Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
Add vanilla.
Add flour and salt slowly.
Spread evenly on bottom of 9 x 9-inch greased pan. Spread apricot mixture over.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool; cut into 1 x 2-inch squares.
Decorate with almonds or coconut.