1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 3/4 cups sifted all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup broken/chopped nuts
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

Beat together shortening and sugar (you may use butter, or half butter/shortening) and sugar til light and fluffy. Add remaining ingredients in order given, mixing well after each addition.

Spread mixture evenly in a shallow greased pan (batter should be at least a depth of 3/4 inch thick).

Bake in a preheated 350°F 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Be careful not to overbake!

If you like your brownies/blondies chewy, remove them from the oven while still soft.

Makes about 16 squares.