Apricot Honey Creme Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled, and cut into small bits
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup Honey Ridge Farms Apricot Honey Creme
• 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small bits
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

Directions

1. To prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x9x2-inch baking pan. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, sugar and salt, and pulse to combine. Add cold butter, and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Pat into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
2. To prepare the filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the sugar. Add the egg and beat until incorporated. Add lemon juice, vanilla and Apricot Honey Creme and mix well. Stir in the apricots. Pour filling over the crust and spread evenly.
3. To prepare the topping: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Pulse to mix well. Add the chilled butter and pulse until mixture is crumbly. Add the rolled oats and pulse to incorporate. Gently spoon the topping over the filling and pat down gently. Bake about 25 minutes until bars are golden. Cool, then refrigerate before cutting and serving.