Brandied Cranberry Apricot Bars Food

HEALTHY CRANBERRY APRICOT BARS

Steps:

• Place rack in the center of oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Spray an 8x8 inch baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper so that the paper drapes out over two of the sides, then spray again.
• To prepare the filling, combine 2 cups cranberries, apricot jam, sugar, and cornstarch in a non-reactive heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture is very thick and the cranberries burst, 4 to 5 minutes. (It may take up to 10 minutes to get a thick result if you start with frozen fruit.)
• Stir in the remaining 1 cup cranberries, ginger, dried apricots, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside.
• For the crust, whisk together the flour, Grape-Nuts, oats, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda in a large bowl. In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, egg, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and almond. Pour over the flour mixture, stirring until moistened (the batter will be thick.) Drizzle melted butter over the top, then stir to incorporate.
• Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, reserving 1/3 cup for the topping. The layer will seem very thin but will rise when baked.
• Spread cranberry mixture evenly over the dough layer in the pan, using your fingers to distribute it evenly. Break the reserved flour mixture over the top (allowing some of the cranberry filling to show through.)
• Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the edges are golden. Let cool in pan for 1 hour, then remove bars from pan by lifting the parchment paper. Let cool completely before slicing.

CRANBERRY-APRICOT BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line 8-inch square pan with foil; spray foil with cooking spray. In large bowl, beat crust ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Press in pan.
• Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix filling ingredients.
• Remove partially baked crust from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Spread filling evenly over crust.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes longer or until mixture is set and appears glossy. Cool completely, about 45 minutes. For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.

CRANBERRY-APRICOT BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350. Line an 8 inch square pan with foil, spray with cooking spray.
• In large bowl beat crust ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Press in pan.
• Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix filling ingredients.
• Remove partially baked crust from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 325. Spread filling over crust.
• Bake 9 to 12 minutes longer or until mixture is set and appears glossy. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.

BRANDIED CRANBERRY-APRICOT BARS

Steps:

• In a 4 cup glass measuring bowl combine raisins, cranberries, apricots, and brandy or water.
• Cover with plastic wrap; turn back a corner to vent.
• Cook on high for 2 minutes.
• (Or, place fruit and brandy in a saucepan; bring to boiling. Remove from heat.) Let stand for 20 minutes.
• Drain.
• For crust, in a medium mixing bowl stir together 1 cup flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar.
• Cut in margarine or butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press into an ungreased 8x8x2-inch baking pan.
• Bake in a 350* oven about 20 minutes.
• or till golden.
• In a medium bowl beat eggs with a mixer on low speed for 4 minutes.
• ;stir in the 1 cup brown sugar, the 1/2 cup flour, and vanilla.
• Add drained fruit and nuts; stir to mix.
• Pour mixture over crust; spread evenly.
• Bake about 40 minutes.
• or till a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, covering with foil the last 10 minutes.
• to prevent over-browning.
• Cool.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
• To serve, cut into squares.
• Makes 16 bars.