Grandma's Fruit Bars

Take a trip down memory lane with Grandma's Fruit Bars, the perfect combination of nostalgic comfort and wholesome flavor. These soft, chewy bars feature a delightful blend of dried apricots, plump raisins, and crunchy walnuts or pecans, all hugged by a spiced cinnamon-infused dough. With just 20 minutes of prep time, this timeless recipe comes together effortlessly, making it ideal for family gatherings, holiday spreads, or as a grab-and-go treat. Finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness, each bar is brimming with homemade charm and subtle texture. Bake a batch today and enjoy a dessert that's as heartwarming as it is irresistible! Keywords: fruit bars recipe, dried apricot dessert, easy homemade bars, nostalgic baking, holiday snacks

Nutriscore Rating: 38/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 0.5 cup raisins
• 0.5 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
• 0.25 cup powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5

Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 6

Fold in the chopped dried apricots, raisins, and nuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly using a spatula.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 10

Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, and cut into 12 even squares or bars.

Step 11

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1085.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4393.3

Total Fat 192.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 97.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 759.5mg	0%
Sodium 1853.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 645.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.8g	0%
Total Sugars 429.6g
Protein 51.4g	0%

Vitamin D 80IU	0%
Calcium 362.1mg	0%
Iron 18.8mg	0%
Potassium 2205.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.4%

Protein: 4.5%

Carbs: 57.1%