Apricot Oatmeal Bars, Just Like You Remember! - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups dried apricots, chopped (about 15 to 16 ounces)
4 cups flour
3 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 cups packed light brown sugar
4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Place the apricots in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain. Set aside.
In work bowl of electric mixer, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda and salt.
Add butter and beat on low speed until a crumbly mixture is formed, about 1 minute. Place half the mixture into the pan and press firmly into an even layer.
Spread apricots evenly over surface, then sprinkle remaining crumbs over the top. The pan will be almost full.
Bake in center of oven until light golden brown, about 50 minutes. Remove to a rack and cool completely (do not cut while warm or bars will be too crumbly). Gently cut into 24 pieces with a small, sharp knife.
Store in airtight container or cookie tin between layers of parchment or waxed paper.