Bars and Squares
Christmas Cookies

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• Sifted powdered sugar

Sift together 1 cup flour and 1/2 cup sugar in a medium mixing bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Press into an ungreased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside.

Please apricots in a small saucepan with water to cover; simmer 15 minutes. Drain; cool and chop. Set aside.

Beat eggs in a medium mixing bowl; gradually add brown sugar, beating well. Sift together 1/3 cup flour, baking powder, and salt in a small mixing bowl; add to egg mixture. Stir in reserved apricots, flavorings, and walnuts. Spread evenly over baked mixture. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar while warm; cool completely. Cut into 2-inch squares.

Yield: about 1 1/2 dozen.

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