Apricot Pistachio Bars

Recipe by: Georgeanne Brennan | from Christmas Sweets: 65 Festive Recipes, Table Decorations, Sweet Gift Ideas

Cookstr

Course: Dessert

Total Time: Under 1 Hour

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Moderate

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These soft, almost chewy bars are redolent with the scents of the Middle East: pistachios, apricots, cardamom, and mace. They are tartly sweet and rather cakelike, an unusual addition to any holiday cookie list.

Yield: Makes 65 to 70 bars

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon butter plus 1 cup (2 sticks), softened
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
4 eggs
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apricot brandy (optional)
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground mace
2 cups coarsely chopped dried apricots
½ cup dried currants
½ cup coarsely chopped pistachios

icing:

1½ cups confectioners’ sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice

Directions

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Using the 1 teaspoon butter, grease a 10-by-15-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the 1 cup butter and the sugars until light and fluffy Beat in the eggs one at a time, blending well. Add the orange zest, vanilla, and apricot brandy and beat to blend well.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, mace, apricots, currants, and pistachios and stir to mix well. Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture and blend well.

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool about 15 minutes.

To make the icing: In a bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar and orange juice and mix to a medium-firm consistency. Spread on the top of the still-warm, uncut cookies in the pan and let stand until the icing sets. Cut the cookies into 1½-inch squares.

To store, place in single layers, separated by sheets of waxed paper, in an airtight container. Store for 2 to 3 days, or freeze.