Apricot Spice Bars
Sweet and spicy apricot spice bars feature dried apricots, walnuts, and warm cinnamon, offering a delightful treat perfect for snack time, dessert, or sharing at gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Finely chop the dried apricots.
- Cream together the butter, brown sugar, and honey.
- Add the eggs and beat well.
- Combine the baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and cloves.
- Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.
- Mix well until combined.
- Stir in the chopped walnuts and apricots.
- Spread the batter in a greased and floured 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cool for 15 minutes and then brush with glaze (if desired).
Tips & Substitutions
For a different flavor profile, consider substituting half of the brown sugar with maple syrup for added depth. You can also replace walnuts with pecans or omit nuts entirely for a nut-free version. Ensure the apricots are finely chopped to distribute their sweetness evenly throughout the bars. If you want a richer taste, try adding a pinch of nutmeg along with the cinnamon and cloves.
Serving Suggestions
These bars are delicious on their own but can be enhanced with a light glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar for presentation. They pair beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee, making them perfect for afternoon snacks or dessert. For a festive touch, serve them alongside Snowball Meltaways during the holidays.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Apricot Spice Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm bars in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, ensuring they remain moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Apricot Spice Bars contains roughly 1300 calories, with 23g protein, 125g carbohydrates, and 89g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (58% of the Daily Value), iron (48% of the Daily Value), and calcium (48% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 971mg per serving (42% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh apricots instead of dried ones?
Fresh apricots can be used, but they will add moisture to the batter. You may need to reduce the amount of honey to avoid overly wet bars. Also, finely chop and lightly sauté the fresh apricots to concentrate their flavor before adding them to the mixture.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check that the other ingredients, like baking powder and spices, are gluten-free as well. The texture may vary slightly, but they should still turn out delicious.
What can I use instead of butter?
You can replace the butter with coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute to make the recipe dairy-free. For a lighter option, unsweetened applesauce can also be used, though this may alter the texture slightly, making it softer and less rich.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).