Start with a cake mix and some apricot pie filling and end up with delicious bar cookies for snacking and lunchboxes.
Cake mixes are just dry ingredients already combined for you. You can use them in many other recipes besides cakes: these bar cookies are one of my favorites.
When you use a cake mix, make sure that you buy the size of mix specified in the recipe. There are one-layer and two-layer cake mixes on the market; mix them up and you'll have a mess!
Graham cracker crumbs add great texture and flavor to this easy recipe. If you'd like, you can use another flavor of pie filling - but try this version at least once. The tartness of the apricots is the perfect complement to the sweet and nutty crust and topping. Yum.
Apricot Bar Cookies
- 1 (18 ounce) package yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 (21 ounce) can apricot pie filling
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp. butter, softened
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom of a 13x9" pan with nonstick cooking spray containing flour and set aside.
In large bowl, combine cake mix, 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/2 cup softened butter; mix until crumbs form. Measure out 1 cup of this crumbly mixture and set aside. Add egg to remaining crumbs and mix until blended. Press into prepared pan; bake for 10-14 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Meanwhile, combine the 1 cup reserved crumbs with walnuts, brown sugar, 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and 2 Tbsp. butter; mix until crumbly.
Remove crust from oven and top with apricot pie filling. Sprinkle crumb mixture over filling. Bake for 15-20 minutes longer or until bars are golden brown. Cool completely. Yields 36 bar cookies.
Baking and Desserts Recipe Box
