Everyone's Favourite Apricot Squares

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone all the best for the holiday season.

I first made Apricot Squares many years ago for Christmas. The recipe is adapted from a Canadian Living recipe magazine - Christmas Edition from the 1980's . I not only make this at Christmas but anytime when I have company visit and everyone loves it. My friend and former housemate, Suzanne, used to excitedly ask "Are you going to make THEM?" whenever I brought home dried apricots. My Aunts worriedly wondered why I was putting the rest in the freezer when they would be visiting for a couple more days. Almost everyone asks for the recipe so here it is!

Everyone's Favourite Apricot Squares

BASE:
125 mL (1/2 cup) butter, softened
250 mL (1 cup) all-purpose flour
60 mL (1/4 cup) granulated sugar

FILLING:
150 mL (2/3 cup) dried apricots
250 mL (1cup) water
2 egg yolks
175 mL (3/4 cup) packed brown sugar
125 mL (1/2 cup) all-purpose flour
2 mL (1/2 tsp) baking powder

ICING:
425 mL (1-3/4 cups) approx. icing sugar
50 mL (1/4 cup) butter, softened
30 mL (2 Tbsp) lemon juice
7.5 mL (1-1/2 tsp) grated lemon rind

Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F).

BASE:
In bowl, cream butter. Add flour and sugar; mix well. Press into bottom of 2.5 L (9-inch) square cake pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden.

FILLING:
While base is baking, chop apricots into small pieces. In small saucepan, combine apricots with water and bring to a boil; simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes or until most of the water is absorbed and apricots are tender. Set aside.
In bowl and using electric mixer, beat egg yolks for 1 minute; add brown sugar and beat for 1 minute. Stir in flour and baking powder; mix well. Blend in apricot mixture; spread over warm base.
Bake in 160ºC (325ºF) for 30 to 40 minutes or until top is golden and springs back when lightly touched. Let cool.

ICING:
In small bowl, gradually beat icing sugar into butter to a smooth spreadable consistency. Blend in lemon juice and rind. Spread over apricot filling. Cut into small rectangles to serve.

These freeze beautifully so you can make them in advance.