Apricot Bars

2/3 cup dried apricots
1/2 cup margarine or butter (softened)
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour (sifted)
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
1/4 to 1/2 cups nuts chopped fine (walnuts or pecans)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 9 x 9 inch pan.

1. Chop apricots (about 1/4 inch pieces) and rinse. Put in a medium saucepan and cover with water, bring to a boil for about 10 minutes. Drain and cool.

2. In a bowl mix butter, sugar and 1 cup flour until crumbly. Pack the greased 9 x 9 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned.

3. Sift the 1/3 cup flour, baking powder and salt together. Beat the brown sugar into the eggs then blend into the flour mixture. Mix in the vanilla, nuts and cooled apricots. Spread over the baked layer and bake about 20 minutes.

4. Cut into bars and roll in powdered sugar.

Double this recipe for a 9 x 13 inch pan.