apricot coconut bars (vegan)

Happiness radiates like the fragrance from a flower and draws all good things towards you.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

APRICOT COCONUT BARS

Recipe adapted slightly from here.

“This base is rich and buttery with a flavourful apricot filling and a delicate almond, coconut topping. Don’t be intimidated by the three layers it is very easy to make” – Amy Chaplin.

makes 16 bars

crust

1 cup dried, unsweetened, shredded coconut

½ cup regular oats

¼ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

1 cup whole wheat spelt flour ( or ¾ barley & ¼ whole-spelt flour)

¼ cup melted coconut oil

¼ cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

filling

⅓ cup thinly sliced, dried unsulfured apricots

½ cup unsweetened apricot jam

topping

¾ cup dried, unsweetened, shredded coconut

⅓ cup almonds (with skin)

¼ tsp baking powder

1 Tbsp maple syrup

1 Tbsp melted coconut oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

zest of one lemon

¾ cup dried, unsweetened coconut flakes

preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350F/180C.  Line a 13 x 9-inch pan with parchment paper; set aside.

prepare the filling

2. Place the thinly sliced apricots in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside to soften for 5 minutes while you make the crust.

prepare the crust

3. Place the coconut, oats, baking powder, and salt in a food processor; blend until fine, about 45 seconds. Then add the flour, blending for a few seconds until combined.
4. In a medium bowl, combine the oil, maple syrup, and vanilla, whisking until combined. Add the coconut and oat mixture, and mix with a fork until combined. The dough should be moist but not sticky.
5. Press the dough thinly and evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan with your hands.  Prick the crust with a fork, and bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until the edges begin to brown.  Remove from oven and set aside; keep the oven on.
6. While waiting for the crust to bake, drain the apricot slices and set aside to drain well.

prepare the topping

7. To make the topping, place the maple syrup, oil, vanilla, and lemon zest in a medium bowl. (Use the same bowl for making the crust—there is no need to clean it.) Whisk to combine and set aside.
8. In the food processor, place the shredded coconut, almonds, and baking powder and blend until ground and moist, about 45 seconds. Transfer to the bowl with the wet ingredients, stirring to combine, then mixing in the flaked coconut.

assemble

9. When the crust is ready (it doesn’t need to cool), Spread the apricot preserve over the crust and sprinkle over the apricots.
10. Crumble the topping over the apricot crust, leaving some filling showing.
11. Bake for 15 – 18 minutes or until golden on top.  Remove from oven, and set aside to cool completely before cutting into bars.

Goodness shared from Stacey