2/3 c. dried apricots
1/2 c. soft butter
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/3 c. flour
1 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped almonds

Rinse apricots; cover with water. Simmer 10 minutes; drain and cool. Chop. Combine butter, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 cup flour until crumbly. Press in 9-inch square greased pan. Bake 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

Beat brown sugar and eggs. Mix remaining flour, baking powder, and salt; add to egg mixture and mix well. Add nuts and apricots. Spread on baked layer; sprinkle with more nuts if desired. Bake about 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool; cut in bars.