Cranberry Apricot Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the base:
4 ounces Neufchatel cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cupcanolaor vegetable oil
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
For the filling:
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (6 ounces)
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon each ground allspice and cinnamon
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1/4 cup orange juice
For the topping:
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Directions
1 Preheat the oven to 375° F.
Lightly grease a 9" x 9" x 2" baking pan.
To prepare the base: In a medium-size bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat the cream cheese, oil, sugar, nutmeg, and salt for 1 minute or until smooth.
Stir in the flour and cornstarch just until combined.
Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan, reserving 1/2 cup.
Place a sheet of wax paper on top and press the mixture until level.
Bake for 1 5 minutes.
2 Meanwhile, prepare the filling.
In a small saucepan, bringthecranberries, apricots, honey, sugar, allspice, cinnamon, orange rind, and orange juice to a boil over moderate heat.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes or until thickened.
Spoon the filling overthe cooked base, spreading it evenly.
3 To make the topping: Using a fork, work the sugar into the reserved base mixture until crumbly.
Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the filling.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the topping is golden.
Let cool in the pan, then cut into bars about 1 by 2 1/4 inches.
Lightly grease a 9" x 9" x 2" baking pan.
To prepare the base: In a medium-size bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat the cream cheese, oil, sugar, nutmeg, and salt for 1 minute or until smooth.
Stir in the flour and cornstarch just until combined.
Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan, reserving 1/2 cup.
Place a sheet of wax paper on top and press the mixture until level.
Bake for 1 5 minutes.
2 Meanwhile, prepare the filling.
In a small saucepan, bringthecranberries, apricots, honey, sugar, allspice, cinnamon, orange rind, and orange juice to a boil over moderate heat.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes or until thickened.
Spoon the filling overthe cooked base, spreading it evenly.
3 To make the topping: Using a fork, work the sugar into the reserved base mixture until crumbly.
Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the filling.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the topping is golden.
Let cool in the pan, then cut into bars about 1 by 2 1/4 inches.
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