2/3 c. dried apricots (1/3 c. water, enough to cover)
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 1/3 c. sifted flour
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or almonds
1/2 c. soft butter
1 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 tsp. salt

Rinse apricots, cover with water, simmer 10 minutes. Drain, cool and chop.

Combine butter, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 cup flour; mix until crumbly. Pack into greased 9" square pan. Bake 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

Gradually beat brown sugar into eggs. Sift together remaining flour, baking powder and salt. Add egg, brown sugar mixture to flour; mix well. Add vanilla, 1/4 cup almonds and apricots. Spread on baked layer. Sprinkle with remaining nuts.

Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool. Cut into bars or 1 1/2" squares. If you wish, dust with confectioners' sugar. Scrumptious dessert; top apricot bars with ice cream.