Chocolate-Chip Apricot Bars
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
Heat oven to 350° F. Lightly coat a 9-inch square baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and light brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and blend until smooth. With a spoon, stir in the oats, chocolate chips, and apricots.
Press the batter into the pan and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden and the pastry begins to pull away from the sides of the pan. The center should be slightly soft. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Cut into 18 bars when still warm, then let cool completely before removing from the pan.
Yield: Makes 18 bars