Garnet's Apricot Bars

For four years while I was in school, I worked in a medical office. 

There was one patient in particular who always put a smile on my face.

Her name was Garnet, and she was the most vibrant 80 year-old woman you've ever seen.

She was quite the baker, too, and would always bring us front desk girls delicious treats.

Her brownies were amazing, but nothing could beat her apricot bars. 

When she brought them in before her appointments, we made sure to keep their presence a secret as long as we could. Once word got out that Garnet had brought the bars, it was all over. The nicest gesture you could make in that office was to save a bar for a co-worker.

Garnet shared the recipe with my mom and me, and my mom's bars definitely give Garnet's a run for their money. If you have an event coming up that you need to bring something for {or even just a Friday night...}, these would be perfect.

Garnet's Apricot Bars

1 box pound cake mix

4 eggs

1/2 cup melted butter

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup chopped dried apricots

2 cups powdered sugar

8 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup apricot preserves

3/4 cup shredded coconut

3/4 cup sliced almonds

{1} Using a mixer, beat cake mix, 2 eggs, butter, 1 tsp. vanilla, and dried apricots together.

{2} Spread mixture in a greased 15 x 10 cookie sheet.

{3} In a second bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, preserves, and 2 eggs.

{4} Gently spread over cake batter. Sprinkle with coconut and almonds.

{5} Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and cut into bars.

p.s. I'm not a huge apricot fan, but these are amazing!