Pistachio Apricot Bars Recipes

PISTACHIO CREAM BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, beat butter and 2/3 cup powdered sugar with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in flour and baking powder. Stir in nuts. Press dough in bottom of pan.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 1 hour.
• In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. In another medium bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar on medium speed 1 minute or until creamy. Fold in vanilla and 1 1/2 cups of the whipped cream. Spread over baked crust. Refrigerate.
• In medium bowl, mix dry pudding mix and 1 cup milk as directed on package. Refrigerate 5 minutes. Fold in remaining whipped cream. Spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until chilled. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Garnish with additional chopped nuts, if desired. Store covered in refrigerator.

APRICOT AND PISTACHIO SLICE (BARS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C
• Combine flour the flour, mixed spice,diced apricots, pistachio kernals and the sugar in a large bowl. Add the margarine, eggs, lemon juice and vanilla essence and stir until well combined.
• Spoon the mixture into a greased and lined lamington tin and bake for 30 minutes at 180ºC or until golden brown.
• Whilst still warm, glaze the slice with melted apricot jam.

APRICOT, DATE AND PISTACHIO FLAPJACKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Line a 20cm x 30cm/8in x 12in baking tin, at least 5cm/2in deep, with baking paper. Line a baking tray with paper too.
• Scatter the porridge oats on the lined baking tray and lightly toast in the oven for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through. Remove and set aside to cool.
• Heat the agave nectar and coconut oil in a small saucepan over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smoothly combined. Take off the heat and stir in the orange zest and juice, and the cinnamon.
• Put the toasted oats into a large bowl and add the flour, dates, sesame seeds, dried apricots, pistachios and desiccated coconut and mix well. Tip into the melted mixture and stir well to combine, making sure all the dry ingredients are well coated.
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, pressing it down firmly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden-brown on top.
• Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then score into pieces with a sharp knife. Leave the flapjack to cool completely before lifting out of the tin.
• For the topping, if using, melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (check the base of the bowl isn't touching the water). Remove and let cool, then drizzle over the top of the flapjack.
• Cut the flapjack into bars along the score lines. These flapjacks will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.