MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02

     Title: Nutty Apricot Bars
Categories: Desserts, Fruits
     Yield: 48 servings

    12 oz Apricots - dried
   3/4 c  Sugar
   3/4 c  Butter / margarine -softened
     1 c  Sugar
     2 c  Flour- all purpose
   1/2 t  Baking soda
   1/4 t  Salt
     3 oz Coconut - flaked
   1/2 c  Pecans or walnuts - chopped

   Cover apricots with water, and bring to a boil; reduce heat, and
 simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes or until tender. Drain reserving 1/4
 cup liquid. Coarsely chop apricots, and set aside.  Combine reserved
 apricot liquid and 3/4 cup sugar in a saucepan; simmer 5 minutes.
 Stir in chopped apricots.
   Cream butter; gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating at medium speed of
 an electric mixer until light and fluffy. combine flour, baking soda,
 and salt; add floured mixture to creamed mixture, mixing well
 (mixture will be crumbly).  Stir in coconut and pecans. Pat about
 three-fourths of coconut mixture into and ungreased 13x9x2 inch pan.
 Bake at 350F for 10 minutes. Spread apricot mixture evenly over
 crust, spreading to within 1/4 inch from edge of pan.
  Sprinkle with remaining coconut mixture.  Bake an additional 30
 minutes. Let cool in pan; chill.  Cut into bars. Store in
 refrigerator. Yield: about 4 dozen. From the Southern Living Cookbook

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