Apricot Shortbread Bars

These Apricot Shortbread Bars are the perfect make-ahead dessert that tastes like spring in every bite. Buttery shortbread crust topped with sweet apricot filling and crumbly topping baked until golden. Takes about 1 hour from start to finish. I make these Apricot Shortbread Bars whenever I need something that feeds a crowd without complicated techniques or fancy equipment.

Buttery shortbread crust topped with sweet apricot filling and crumbly topping baked until golden. Perfect make-ahead dessert bars for crowds.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Why You'll Love This Apricot Shortbread Bars Recipe

Real talk, these Apricot Shortbread Bars are one of the easiest apricot bars with shortbread crust I've made and everyone asks for the recipe.

What Actually Works: This Apricot Shortbread Bars recipe creates a buttery shortbread base, spreads apricot preserves or fresh apricots on top, then finishes with crumbly streusel topping before baking. Simple layering technique, about 1 hour total. Comes out with crisp buttery crust, sweet tangy filling, and that irresistible crumbly top.

Why Other Methods Fail: Most apricot bars recipe attempts mess up by underbaking the crust which makes soggy bottoms instead of crisp shortbread. Others use too much filling which makes bars fall apart when you try to cut them. Some skip chilling the dough which creates greasy bars instead of proper shortbread texture.

The thing that changed everything: Understanding that you need prebaked crust and moderate filling for Apricot Shortbread Bars success. My first attempt I poured filling directly on raw crust and baked everything together. The bottom stayed pale and doughy while the top burned, creating terrible texture contrast.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Apricot Shortbread Bars Recipe
What You'll Need for Apricot Shortbread Bars
How to Make Apricot Shortbread Bars
Top Tip
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Storage and Reuse Instructions
What to Serve With Apricot Shortbread Bars
My Apricot Shortbread Bars Journey
FAQ
More Recipes You'll Love
Apricot Shortbread Bars
Related
Pairing

What You'll Need for Apricot Shortbread Bars

Basic ingredients you probably already have. This is the easiest things to make with apricots you'll try.

For the Shortbread Crust

All purpose flour
Unsalted butter, cold
Granulated sugar
Salt
Vanilla extract
Almond extract (optional)

For the Apricot Filling

Apricot preserves or jam
Fresh apricots, diced
Lemon juice
Cornstarch
Sugar

apricot shortbread bars filling ingredients

For the Crumble Topping

All purpose flour
Brown sugar
Cold butter, cubed
Sliced almonds (optional)
Oats (optional)

Optional Add-Ins

Orange zest for apricot orange shortbread bars
Sliced almonds for apricot almond shortbread bars
Coconut flakes
White chocolate chips
Vanilla glaze

Exact measurements in the Recipe card.

How to Make Apricot Shortbread Bars

This Apricot Shortbread Bars recipe comes together with simple pressing and layering. The technique is foolproof.

Step 1: Make the Shortbread Crust

Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in cold butter using pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs for your apricot shortbread bars base.

Add vanilla extract and mix until dough starts to come together. The mixture should hold together when squeezed but still look crumbly for proper shortbread texture.

Step 2: Press and Prebake

Press two-thirds of dough firmly into bottom of greased 9x13 baking pan, creating even layer. Reserve remaining dough for topping your apricot bars with shortbread crust.

Bake crust at 350°F for 15 to 18 minutes until lightly golden and set. The prebaking ensures crisp bottom that won't get soggy from apricot filling.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

While crust bakes, mix apricot preserves with lemon juice in a bowl. If using fresh apricots, toss diced fruit with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice for fresh apricot bars filling.

The lemon juice brightens apricot flavor and adds necessary acidity to balance sweetness in your recipes with apricots creation.

Step 4: Spread the Filling

Remove prebaked crust from oven and immediately spread apricot filling evenly over hot crust. Use offset spatula to spread to edges for complete coverage.

Don't use too much filling or your apricot shortbread bars recipe won't set properly and will be difficult to cut cleanly into squares.

Step 5: Add Crumble Topping

Mix reserved dough with brown sugar, creating crumbly texture. Add sliced almonds if making apricot almond shortbread bars for extra crunch and flavor.

Sprinkle crumble mixture evenly over apricot layer, leaving some filling visible. The crumble creates that signature textured top for apricot crumble bars appearance.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden

Return pan to oven and bake for 25 to 30 more minutes until topping is golden brown and filling bubbles at edges. The bubbling indicates filling has thickened properly.

Let bars cool completely in pan on wire rack, at least 2 hours, before cutting. This cooling time allows filling to set for clean slicing of your apricot dessert recipes.

baking apricot shortbread bars until golden

Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired. Cut into squares and serve these apricot delight bars at room temperature for best flavor and texture.

Top Tip

Prebake crust and don't overfill for perfect Apricot Shortbread Bars. Here's what I learned through failures:

That prebaking technique is what makes this actually work
Made this mistake twice pouring filling on raw unbaked crust because I wanted to save time
The bottom stayed pale and doughy while top burnt trying to cook everything
Texture was terrible with soggy crust and overcooked filling
Bars fell apart when I tried to cut them because crust never crisped
Started prebaking crust until lightly golden before adding filling
The crisp bottom stayed crunchy even under moist apricot layer
Suddenly got perfect apricot jam bars with distinct crisp and creamy layers

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

The base Apricot Shortbread Bars are perfect but you can customize them for different flavors.

Orange Addition

Add orange zest to crust and filling for apricot orange shortbread bars with bright citrus flavor. The orange complements apricot beautifully without overpowering.

Almond Version

Mix sliced almonds into topping and add almond extract to crust for apricot almond shortbread bars with nutty richness. The almonds add texture and enhance apricot flavor.

Fresh Fruit Style

Use diced fresh apricots instead of preserves for fresh apricot crumble bars with brighter flavor. Toss fruit with cornstarch and sugar to thicken during baking.

Storage and Reuse Instructions

Yeah, Apricot Shortbread Bars keep great actually.

Room Temperature: Store apricot bars recipe treats covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. The shortbread stays crisp and filling remains set without refrigeration.

Refrigerator: Refrigerate apricot shortbread bars in airtight container for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor.

Freezing: These old fashioned apricot squares freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Layer between parchment paper in freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature for 2 hours.

Make Ahead: Bake apricot bars with shortbread crust up to 2 days ahead for parties. The flavors actually improve as filling melds with crust. Cut right before serving for freshest appearance.

What to Serve With Apricot Shortbread Bars

These Apricot Shortbread Bars are perfect standalone treats but pair well on dessert spreads.

Tea Time: Serve apricot shortbread cookies style bars with hot tea, coffee, or lemonade. The buttery shortbread is traditional afternoon tea accompaniment.

Dessert Platters: Include these apricot delight recipe treats with other bar cookies like lemon bars and brownies for variety. The fruit flavor offers contrast to chocolate options.

Ice Cream Pairing: Top warm apricot oatmeal bars with vanilla ice cream for elevated dessert. The temperature contrast makes simple bars feel special.

My Apricot Shortbread Bars Journey

First time I made Apricot Shortbread Bars I poured filling directly on raw unbaked crust because I didn't want extra baking step. The bottom stayed completely pale and doughy while the top burnt trying to cook through.

The texture was terrible with soggy crust that tasted raw and overcooked filling that was dark and bitter. My family took one bite and politely declined seconds.

Tried again prebaking the crust until lightly golden before adding any filling. Suddenly the bottom stayed crisp and buttery even under moist apricot layer. The distinct textures made these taste like professional apricot cookies from bakeries.

Then I used way too much preserves trying to make them extra fruity. The bars wouldn't set and fell apart into mushy piles when I tried to cut them. Started using thin even layer of filling and got perfect sliceable dried apricot recipes consistency.

Now I make these Apricot Shortbread Bars for every potluck and bake sale. Prebaked crust, moderate filling, crumbly topping, and complete cooling before cutting.

Similar Easy Bar Cookie Recipes Worth Making

Apricot Cobbler Bars: Transforms cobbler into bar format for apricot cobbler recipes that are easier to serve than traditional cobbler.

Caramel Shortbread: Uses similar shortbread base with caramel layer for caramel shortbread millionaire bars that are incredibly rich.

Lemon Bars: Swaps apricot for lemon curd filling using same shortbread technique for classic tangy squares for a crowd.

These apricots recipes variations all use similar shortbread bar techniques to Apricot Shortbread Bars, so once you master this recipe the others become straightforward.

FAQ

What ingredients are used to make apricot shortbread bars?

Apricot Shortbread Bars use flour, butter, sugar, and salt for the shortbread crust, apricot preserves or fresh apricots for filling, and flour, brown sugar, and butter for crumble topping. The apricot bars with shortbread crust recipe is simple with pantry staples. Some versions add almonds or orange zest for flavor variations.

Can apricot shortbread bars be made ahead of time?

Yes, Apricot Shortbread Bars can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored covered at room temperature. The apricot shortbread bars recipe actually improves as flavors meld. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Cut into squares right before serving for freshest presentation.

What type of apricot filling works best for shortbread bars?

Apricot preserves or jam work best for Apricot Shortbread Bars because they're already thickened and sweetened. Fresh apricots work too but need cornstarch and sugar to thicken during baking. The apricot jam bars with shortbread crust use preserves for foolproof results without extra thickening steps.

How should apricot shortbread bars be stored after baking?

Store Apricot Shortbread Bars covered at room temperature up to 3 days or refrigerated up to 1 week. The apricot bars recipe treats stay fresh without refrigeration if eaten within a few days. Always let bars cool completely before cutting and storing for clean slices.

More Recipes You'll Love

Once you've nailed these Apricot Shortbread Bars, try my Neapolitan Cake for stunning three-layer dessert with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. My Butterfinger Balls make easy no-bake treats with crushed candy and cream cheese. And my Hot Italian Sub Sliders create perfect party sandwiches with Italian meats and garlic butter that everyone devours.