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Homemade apricot shortbread bars stacked on a plate, with a crumbly topping and powdered sugar dusted on top.

Apricot Shortbread Bars

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Buttery, crumbly Apricot Shortbread Bars layered with bright, tangy apricot preserves and topped with golden streusel crumbs. Easy, one-bowl, and completely irresistible—these “sunshine squares” taste like pure sunshine in bar form.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Chill Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Shortbread Base & Topping
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter - cubed
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract - optional
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Apricot Filling
  • 1 ½ cups apricot preserves - or jam
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice - fresh
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch - if jam is runny
  • 1 pinch cinnamon - optional
Optional Add-Ins
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
  • 2 tablespoon turbinado sugar
  • fresh apricots - chopped

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 metal baking pan (metal browns best)
  • 1 Parchment paper (for easy removal)
  • 1 Pastry cutter or fork (cuts cold butter)
  • 2–3 Mixing bowls
  • 1 Offset spatula (spreads jam evenlyd5
  • 1 Sharp knife (clean cuts)

Method
 

  1. Combine flour, sugars, salt, and lemon zest. Cut in cold butter until coarse crumbs form. Add vanilla & almond extract. Reserve 1 cup of dough for topping.
  2. Press remaining dough into lined 9×13 pan. Prick with fork and chill in freezer 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  3. Mix apricot preserves, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch (if needed). Spread evenly over chilled crust.
  4. Scatter reserved dough over filling. Add almonds or turbinado sugar if using.
  5. Bake 40–45 minutes until golden and bubbling at edges. Cool completely at least 2 hours before slicing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar (~50 g)Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 70mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes

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