Best 7 Apricot Orange Shortbread Bars Recipes

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The apricot orange shortbread bars are a combination of juicy apricot jam, delicious orange zest, and crumbly shortbread crust. This classic recipe has a sweet, slightly tart flavor and a texture that is both soft and crumbly. The vibrant colors of the orange and apricot add a cheerful touch to any gathering. Whether you're serving them as a dessert, snack, or special treat, these bars are sure to delight your taste buds.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

APRICOT-ORANGE SHORTBREAD BARS



Apricot-Orange Shortbread Bars image

Categories     Liqueur     Dessert     Bake     Christmas     Orange     Apricot     Almond     Winter     Jam or Jelly     Bon Appétit     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 32

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup apricot preserves
3 tablespoons orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (packed) almond paste (from 7-ounce roll), crumbled
1/2 cup sliced almonds, divided

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan; line bottom and sides of pan with parchment paper, extending over sides. Butter parchment. Mix preserves and orange liqueur in small bowl; set aside.
  • Using electric mixer, beat 1 cup butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Beat in almond extract. Add flour and salt; beat just until blended. Transfer 1 cup of dough to another small bowl; add crumbled almond paste and mix with fingertips until small clumps form. Mix in 1/4 cup sliced almonds; set aside for topping.
  • Press remaining dough evenly onto bottom of prepared pan. Spread preserves mixture evenly over. Using fingertips, coarsely crumble topping over preserves, then sprinkle 1/4 cup almonds over. Press topping lightly into preserves.
  • Bake shortbread until top and crust edges are golden brown, about 1 hour. Cool completely in pan on rack. Using parchment paper as aid, lift shortbread from pan. Cut shortbread into 4 equal strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 8 small bar cookies. (Can be prepared ahead. Store in single layer in airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.)

APRICOT BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST RECIPE - (4.3/5)



Apricot Bars With Shortbread Crust Recipe - (4.3/5) image

Provided by MJH

Number Of Ingredients 15

CRUST:
1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces ( no subs)
APRICOT LAYER:
4 ounces dried apricots, coarsley chopped
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Set oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish. For the shortbread crust: blend flour, sugar and salt together for about 10 seconds in a processor. Add in cold butter using on/off turns, and process until coarse meal forms. Press crumbs firmly into bottom of the pan. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the center is golden, remove and keep oven heat on to same temperature. To make the filling: place apricots in a small saucepan and add enough water to cover; bring to a boil and simmer until soft (about 4 minutes) drain, and set aside. In a small bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Using an electric mixer beat eggs in a large bowl for about 2 minutes. Add in brown sugar and vanilla and beat until thick. Stir in flour mixture. Mix/mix in the apricots and nuts. Spread over the shortbread crust. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until puffed and dark golden brown. Cool in dish. Cut into small squares or triangles, and dust lightly with powdered sugar.

WINNING APRICOT BARS



Winning Apricot Bars image

This recipe is down-home baking at its best, and it really represents all regions of the country. It's won blue ribbons at county fairs and cookie contests in several states! Easy to make, it's perfect for potluck suppers, bake sales, lunchboxes or just plain snacking.-Jill Moritz, Irvine, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 jar (10 to 12 ounces) apricot preserves

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Fold in coconut and walnuts., Press two-thirds of dough onto the bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread with preserves; crumble remaining dough over preserves. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 195 calories, Fat 10g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 23mg cholesterol, Sodium 72mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

APRICOT BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST



Apricot Bars With Shortbread Crust image

A moist apricot-walnut layer on top of a light buttery shortbread crust. The crust for these bars must be made on a processor. These are wonderful to serve to guests! The apricot filling can be prepared hours in advance. Yield is only estimated depending on the size of bars. Cooking time is for the filling and crust.

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 1h20m

Yield 36 bars

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces (no subs)
4 ounces dried apricots, coarsley chopped
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Set oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
  • For the shortbread crust: blend flour, sugar and salt together for about 10 seconds in a processor.
  • Add in cold butter using on/off turns, and process until coarse meal forms.
  • Press crumbs firmly into bottom of the pan.
  • Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the center is golden, remove and keep oven heat on to same temperature.
  • To make the filling: place apricots in a small saucepan and add enough water to cover; bring to a boil and simmer until soft (about 4 minutes) drain, and set aside.
  • In a small bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Using an electric mixer beat eggs in a large bowl for about 2 minutes.
  • Add in brown sugar and vanilla and beat until thick.
  • Stir in flour mixture.
  • Mix/mix in the apricots and nuts.
  • Spread over the shortbread crust.
  • Bake for about 35 minutes, or until puffed and dark golden brown.
  • Cool in dish.
  • Cut into small squares or triangles, and dust lightly with powdered sugar.

APRICOT SHORTBREAD BARS



Apricot Shortbread Bars image

This is a very fruity holiday cookie recipe. A jellied apricot mixture is baked onto a shortbread crust. Simple to make and very yummy!!

Provided by CORWYNN DARKHOLME

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Fruit Cookie Recipes     Apricot

Time 1h15m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed light brown sugar
⅔ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 ½ cups chopped dried apricots
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 ½ cups white sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and sugar. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan.
  • Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm. While the crust is baking, place apricots in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the liquid. Return the apricots and reserved liquid to the pan, and stir in the lemon zest. Mix together the sugar and cornstarch, and stir into the apricot mixture. Bring to a boil, and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Spread onto the prepared crust, and sprinkle the walnuts over.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm to the touch. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 208.5 calories, Carbohydrate 32.6 g, Cholesterol 13.5 mg, Fat 8.5 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 39.1 mg, Sugar 22.9 g

APRICOT SHORTBREAD SQUARES



Apricot Shortbread Squares image

These fruity bars taste and look so good, people will have a hard time believing how quick they can be prepared. They're bound to become a favorite with your family.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, separated
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 jars (12 ounces each) apricot preserves
1 cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well (mixture will be crumbly). Press into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Carefully spread with apricot preserves., In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Carefully spread over preserves (egg white layer will be thin). Sprinkle with walnuts. , Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and edges are bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 238 calories, Fat 11g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 143mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

APRICOT SHORTBREAD



Apricot Shortbread image

This recipe is originally from McCall's magazine, over 20 years ago. The apricot filling is lovely, & worth the effort.

Provided by Judy from Hawaii

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 50m

Yield 20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/3 cup soft butter or 1/3 cup margarine
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup flour
3/4 cup dried apricot
1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Shortbread: In medium bowl, with mixer, beat butter& sugar till light& fluffy.
  • Add in flour.
  • Pat mixture into an 8 by 8" pan.
  • Bake 12 minutes or till light golden in color.
  • Cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Filling: Place apricots in a small saucepan& add just enough water to cover.
  • Bring to boiling.
  • Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Watch carefully & add a bit more water if needed.
  • Drain apricots, reserving 3 T liquid.
  • Chop apricots finely.
  • Combine in saucepan with reserved liquid, lemon peel, sugar,& cornstarch.
  • Bring to boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring.
  • Let filling cool 10 minutes& spread over shortbread crust.
  • Spread with nuts, if desired.
  • Bake 20 minuts.
  • Cool completely on wire rack.
  • Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 109.2, Fat 3.1, SaturatedFat 1.9, Cholesterol 8.1, Sodium 24.6, Carbohydrate 20.1, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 14.6, Protein 0.8

Tips:

  • Use fresh, ripe apricots. This will give your bars the best flavor.
  • If you don't have fresh apricots, you can use dried apricots. Just be sure to soak them in hot water for 10 minutes before using.
  • Use a good quality orange marmalade. This will also make a big difference in the flavor of your bars.
  • Be careful not to overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the bars tough.
  • Bake the bars until they are just set. Overbaking will make them dry and crumbly.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting them. This will help them hold their shape.

Conclusion:

Apricot Orange Shortbread Bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are made with a simple shortbread crust, a layer of apricot jam, and a layer of orange marmalade. The bars are then baked until they are golden brown and set. Apricot Orange Shortbread Bars are a great way to use up fresh apricots, and they are also a delicious gift idea.

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