Apricot And Raisin Fruit Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, chilled
1 cup flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 pinch salt
18 -20 dried apricot halves, soaked in water and drained (20-30 minutes)
1/2 cup raisins, soaked in water and drained (I soak both the raisins and the apricots in the same water)
3 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted cashew halves or 1/2 cup cashew pieces

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F.
Cut butter in pieces and place in the food processor bowl (fitted with the steel knife) with flour, powdered sugar and a pinch of salt.
Process until blended using on/off turns (5-10 seconds).
Press into a 9 x 9-inch pan.
Bake for 15-20 minutes.
While crust is baking, make the topping.
Place drained apricots, raisins, one tablespoon lemon juice and 1/2 cup sugar in the processor bowl and process until chopped finely (5-10 seconds).
Pour into a seperate bowl and set aside.
Add eggs to processor bowl and mix using on/off turns for 5-10 seconds.
Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice, baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and apricots/raisin mixture.
Process using 3 on/off turns.
Fold in cashews, using one on/off turn.
Spoon mixture over baked crust, spreading evenly and covering whole crust.
Return to oven for 30-35 minutes or until done.
Cool on rack and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
Cut into squares.