Nutty Apricot Bars

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

Title: Nutty Apricot Bars
Categories: Cookies
Yield: 24 servings

2 pk Dried apricots (6-oz)
3/4 c Sugar
3/4 c Butter or margarine;
-softened
1 c Sugar
2 c All-purpose flour
1/2 ts Baking soda
1/4 ts Salt
1 cn Flaked coconut (3-oz)
1/2 c Pecans or walnuts; chopped

Recipe by: Southern Living
Preparation Time: 0:30
Cover apricots with water, and bring to a boil; reduce
heat, and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes or until tender.
Drain, reserving 1/4 cup liquid. Coarsely chop apricots,
and set aside. Combine reserved apricot liquid and 3/4
cup sugar in a saucepan; simmer 5 minutes. Stir in chopped
apricots. Cream butter; gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating
at medium speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; add floured mixture
to creamed mixture, mixing well (mixture will be crumbly).
Stir in coconut and pecans. Pat about three-fourths of
coconut mixture into an ungreased 13- x 9- x 2-inch pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Spread apricot mixture
evenly over crust, spreading to within 1/4 inch from edge
of pan. Sprinkle with remaining coconut mixture. Bake an
additional 30 minutes. Let cool in pan; chill. Cut into
bars. Store in refrigerator. Yield: about 4 dozen.

-----