Apricot-Coconut
Squares
1/2 cup
butter, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup dried apricots
1 cup water
2 eggs
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp lemon juice
1 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup flaked coconut (optional)
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration
Preheat
the oven to 325F. In a medium bowl, mix together butter, sugar,
and 1 cup flour. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9"
x 13" pan.
Bake for
25 minutes in preheated oven. In small saucepan, bring apricots
and water to a boil, and cook for 10 minutes. Drain, chop, and
set aside to cool.
In a medium
bowl, beat eggs and brown sugar. Stir in 1/3 cup flour, baking
powder, salt, vanilla, and lemon juice. Fold in nuts and chopped
apricots. Stir in coconut, if desired. Pour over the prepared
crust.
Bake for
an additional 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm.
Cool, and dust with confectioners' sugar before cutting into
squares.