Baked Sunday Mornings: Rosemary Apricot Squares

APRICOT SQUARES WITH A SCOOP OF ICE CREAM--YUM!

Well, this week was fun, but this is not just an apricot squares post...it is the day.  I cheated. I did not bake the squares.  I did get out all the ingredients, but Em, daughter #2 made them.  She is home for a week with Baby M because her best friend is getting married and she is maid of honor and also the wedding cake baker.  So...I can't put Baby M down; can't get enough of him.  I was in the kitchen watching the bars get made, but I confess that Em did all the work.  And daughter #3, Stephy-Wephy helped with the photos and they can help me do this post too which means that they will add what they want.  I'll just have to see how it turns out.

THIS IS ME HOLDING AND FEEDING BABY M, WELL I CROPPED THE ME PART OUT

EM IS MIXING UP THE BARS

Em started out with the apricot layer as it needed simmering time,  Then she made the crust which was pressed into a parchment lined pan.  Em balked at adding the rosemary, but I insisted, explaining that these strange dessert ingredients and flavors are part of the experience.  I'm glad she picked it fresh and added it to the mixture as it added to the exquisite flavor of these bars, and it was not as strong a flavor as we first imagined it might be.

HONEY CLIMBED UP ONTO THE KITCHEN TABLE AND TOOK CARE OF HERSELF---IT'S TERRIBLE TO BE DISPLACED BY ANOTHER BABY, BUT SHE DOES NOT SEEM TO MIND

Then, after baking the crust Em added the apricot filling which she processed after simmering for almost an hour

APRICOT FILLING HAS BEEN ADDED

STEWING THE APRICOTS

OUR FAMILY DOG PASSED ON A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO...MEET THE NEW PUPPY (STILL NAMELESS)

MIXING THE CRUMB TOPPING

  You may notice we added rolled oats in our crumb topping and they were really good.

HONEY IS INTO BANANAS TODAY, BUT SINCE SHE JUST ATE ONE, SHE WANTS TO SHARE THIS ONE WITH THE NEW PUPPY

While the bars baked, the girls and their babe's went out for a swim.  Since Em lives in NE Idaho, AZ is quite hot for her...Baby M has never been so hot in his entire 6 months of life...loves the water.

SPLISH, SPLASH HE'S GETTING HIS BATH

BABY M'S 1st SWIM

ENJOYING A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY AZ DAY

 When the swim was finished so were the bars and they are looking good.  Thanks, Em.

JUST OUT OF THE OVEN

 

BABY M HAS HAD A REALLY GOOD DAY

Then, Em got busy on the reason she came home...wedding stuff.  Here is the wedding cake she created for her best friend and we all agree that it matches the bride perfectly.

GETTING HER CAKE ALL SET UP AT THE OUTDOOR RECEPTION

 Well, Em, I think you did a pretty good job!

 Back to the bars:

MY BITES

 My only regret with these bars is that we did not double the recipe.  I was dreaming about them and wanted one for breakfast the next day, but, alas, they had all been eaten.  So sad.  Guess we'll have to make them again.  Love apricots and love this recipe...and the rosemary is a wonderful addition!