French Apricot Cream Cheese Bars

Indulge in the perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and crumbly with these irresistible French Apricot Cream Cheese Bars. This delightful dessert features a buttery, golden crust topped with a smooth layer of sweetened cream cheese, a luscious spread of vibrant apricot preserves, and a crunchy oat-almond crumb topping. Perfectly simple to make, these bars come together with minimal prep, making them an elegant yet easy choice for entertaining or satisfying a weeknight sweet tooth. With just the right amount of sweetness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, these apricot cream cheese bars are destined to become a favorite treat. Serve them chilled for an extra-refreshing bite, and enjoy the sophisticated flavors that bring a touch of French-inspired charm to your dessert table.

Nutriscore Rating: 38/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 0.75 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.25 cups apricot preserves
• 0.5 cup rolled oats
• 0.25 cup sliced almonds (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and granulated sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 3

Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a crust.

Step 4

Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until it begins to set and is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 5

In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Step 6

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the partially baked crust.

Step 7

Warm the apricot preserves slightly in the microwave or on the stovetop to make it easier to spread, then layer it evenly over the cream cheese mixture.

Step 8

To the reserved 1 cup of crumb mixture, stir in the rolled oats and sliced almonds (if using). Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apricot layer to create the topping.

Step 9

Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set.

Step 10

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice into 16 squares and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1498.2 grams (1498.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5795

Total Fat 277.10g	355%
Saturated Fat 170.20g	851%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 768mg	256%
Sodium 838mg	36%
Total Carbohydrate 779.30g	283%
Dietary Fiber 12.50g	45%
Total Sugars 517.50g
Protein 54.40g	109%

Vitamin D 117IU	584%
Calcium 341mg	26%
Iron 17mg	94%
Potassium 783mg	17%

*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: 42.8%

Protein: 3.7%

Carbs: 53.5%