Layers of coconut and almond-filled cookie dough and apricot preserves make these Coconut Apricot Bars scrumptious and unforgettableIf getting ripe and juicy fresh apricots is nearly impossible where you live, these jam bars are the solution for any cravings!

I just returned from a food blogger conference in Chicago and shared these Jam Bars in my first blogger recipe swap to rave reviews. It’s super easy to tweak this recipe with your favorite preserves!

Coconut Apricot Bars stacked on a small white plate.

Why You Must Make

I love having the opportunity to bake for other foodies and needed to pull out all the stops. I was going to attend my first ever Eat Write Retreat blogger conference in Chicago, and one of the optional events was to do a food swap.

I had a few criteria in the back of my mind: scrumptious, of course, portable, and visually appealing. But I also saw it as an opportunity to bake up some treats that my family might snub—silly people don’t like apricots, coconut, or nuts. So I turned to this recipe for buttery layered coconut apricot bars to share with both old and new blogger friends.

  • The gal that won my bars indulged after her morning run. She gushed how they were so buttery and practically melted in her mouth! Yup, they’re delicious!
  • Apricot desserts are few and far between. These are perfect for gatherings when you want to bring something unusual, yet worthy of rave reviews.
  • These bars are super easy to make!

Check out how to cut the perfect cookie bars to make these bars perfect for gifting!

Coconut Apricot Bars with dried apricot garnishes on a small square plate.

 Out of This World Coconut Apricot Bars

I love it when a recipe surpasses my expectations. These tender bars with a multitude of textures between the jam, buttery cookie dough, nuts, and coconut just made me swoon. I was relieved that I was packing the majority of them up for the convention.

One fellow blogger approached me the morning after the swap telling me she was now following my blog so she could get the recipe—as well as admitting she was just going to eat one bar, but somehow all 3 disappeared. Another very fit friend said she tried not to think of how much butter was in these as she savored each bite.

Moderation is my motto. These easy bar cookies are worth the splurge!

Tips for Making Bar Cookies:

  • PRO- Tip: Line your baking pan with non-stick foil. This will prevent the jam from sticking to the sides of the pan. It also helps so you can lift out the bars as a whole onto your cutting board. 
  • These bars are so rich and tender, that you’ll want to chill them before removing from the pan and cutting. Cold bars are easier to slice into neat squares. They taste best served at room temperature.
  • As with most baking, the ingredients will mix better at room temperature. The butter should not be so warm that it looks greasy, just soft so you can easily cream it with the sugar.
  • I haven’t tried this, but if you’d like slightly thicker bars, try baking this recipe in an 11 x 7-inch pan. They will need to be baked longer due to the depth. It’s wise to drop the temperature 25° as well to compensate for the longer baking time.
  • PRO- Tip: You are not limited to apricot preserves. These bars will be just as amazing with any favorite jams or preserves. 
  • I like using apricot preserves not apricot jam in these bars. Preserves have little chunks of fruit and add the texture you can’t get with jam.
  • Note that these apricot crumb bars are tender and delicate due to the butter and preserves. It’s best to leave them in the baking pan until you’re ready to serve. Some readers have suggested adding some extra flour to the batter. If you’d like a sturdier bar, try adding 2-4 tablespoons more flour.
  • Store the pan in the refrigerator covered tightly with foil. These bars will also freeze well.
Coconut Apricot Bars photo and text collage

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Store Apricot Bars?

These should be stored in an airtight container. They’ll be OK on the counter for a day, but as I mentioned above, I prefer keeping them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator for the best results.

What Can You Do With Leftover Apricot Preserves/

Try a smear of apricot preserves on a ham and cheese sandwich for a sweet-salty party in your mouth. Use to glaze carrots or ham. Or how about as a filling for thumbprint cookies? It’s also a delicious element in a pastry-wrapped Bake Brie!

You May Also Like:

Bar cookies take less time to make than single cookies! They’re the perfect way to serve a crowd. Check out some of my favorites.

Chicago weekend with college friends and blogger friends collage

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Apricot Bars | Scrumptious layered bars with coconut, almonds and apricot preserves

Coconut Apricot Bars Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Yield 24 bars

A terrific coconut apricot bar that can be customized using your favorite jam

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup flour* see note below.
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 ⅓ cups coconut, I used sweetened Angel Flake
  • ½ cup slivered almonds plus more to sprinkle over bars
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 13-ounce jar apricot preserves (may use other flavors)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350º. Line 9 x 13 baking pan with non-stick foil (or regular foil sprayed with cooking spray).
  2. In large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar.
  3. Add the egg, and mix well.
  4. Whisk together the flour and baking powder and add to the butter mixture. Add coconut, nuts, and vanilla, blending well.
  5. Add another ½ cup of flour if you'd like sturdier bars (a reader has a recipe that uses 2 whole cups of flour, but I'd start with ½ cup more and see if you like the texture).
  6. Press two-thirds of the dough into the prepared baking pan.
  7. Spread with preserves.
  8. Crumble the remaining dough over the top of the preserves.
  9. Sprinkle with a handful more of almonds if desired.
  10. Bake at 350° for 30 - 35 minutes or until golden brown.
  11. Cool and cut into squares.

Notes

*Some readers have suggested the crust may need some extra flour due to its delicate nature. Another reader said she has a similar recipe that uses 2 cups of flour instead of 1. If you'd like a sturdier bar, you could add ½ cup more flour to the batter. Add another ½ cup if you want even sturdier bars.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1 bar

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 176Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 73mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 2g

Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.

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