These Apricot Walnut Streusel Bars have a rich buttery shortbread crust topped with tangy apricot preserves and a nutty streusel topping that is simply scrumptious!
Hello folks!
How was everyone’s weekend?
We were supposed to get a snowstorm.
We got notta. A couple of flakes. That’s it.
Bummer.
I still had a fabulous weekend though. Tom was away on a business trip, so I recipe tested and photographed all weekend long.
I also binge-watched my new favorite Netflix show, Turn, a Revolutionary War spy drama. I’m totally hooked.
I’ve been trying to share all the healthy stuff since the beginning of the New Year.
Have you noticed?
But enough is enough.
It’s Monday and it’s time for something special.
These Apricot Walnut Streusel Bars are totally scrumptious. You’re gonna love ’em!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Apricot Walnut Streusel Bars Recipe:
I love apricot preserves, but these bars will work with any flavor preserves, so choose your favorite.
You can also substitute pecans for the walnuts, if desired.
They work as a dessert with perhaps a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or dare I say as a breakfast treat because they’ve got some apricot preserves?
A rich, buttery shortbread crust, topped with tangy apricot preserves and a nutty streusel make for one delicious treat. It’s what dessert AND breakfast dreams are made of. Enjoy!
Apricot Walnut Streusel Bars
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Filling
- 3/4 cup apricot preserves
Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into small cubes
- 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place rack in middle of oven. Spray a 9x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Crust
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine butter and sugar. Beat at medium speed until well blended, about 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Slowly add the flour mixture and mix just until incorporated. Press the dough into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of the prepared pan.
Filling
- Spread the 3/4 cup of the apricot preserves over the crust.
Topping
- In the bowl of the stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt until well combined. Add butter and mix until mixture resembles large crumbs. Add chopped walnuts. (I like to use my fingers to fully crumb the mixture together.)
- Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the preserves. Bake for 55-60 minutes until lightly browned and the preserves appear to be bubbling. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes, then cut into 16 bars, but leave in pan. Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
- Bars can be stored in a airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
I don’t mind if I don’t see any snow. I’m over winter already, lol. Anywho, these streusel bars look so buttery delicious and love that crumble. Pinned! Hope you have a great week, Mary Ann :)
Thanks so much Dawn! I’m still looking for a snowstorm! Lol!
I’ve heard great things about Turn o I’ll have to check it out! After making a batch of these bars, of course. YUM!
Sounds like an awesome plan Kelsie!
The storm delivered in our parts, big time! Actually, it still is! I’ll send you some!;) In exchange for a delivery of these lovely streusel bars! Pinned!
Bake a batch of these and stay warm Annie! Have a wondeful week!
Enough of the healthy stuff is right, time for some oh so good buttery and nutty goodness! :)
I totally agree Kev! Onto some sweets!
This winter sure has been weird here! It was actually beautiful temperature-wise on Friday and today we woke up to it being 18 degrees (too cold for me!). Needless to say, I could use a few of these delicious bars right about now! These look absolutely amazing, Mare!! I’m dying over the apricot and walnut combo! Totally need these in my life! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning Chey! Hope you love these!
I’m going to add that to my watch list! These bars look so good!!I love a good apricot and walnut combo.
Me too Naomi! You’re going to love Turn!
I haven’t heard of Turn, but it definitely sounds like the kind of show Etienne and I would be into! I’m so glad you had a whole weekend to bake – it means we get to enjoy the fruits of your labor! These look amazing!! Apricot and walnut are my most favourite of the “underrated” fruits and nuts!
It’s such a great series Katherine! I also love the apricot/walnut combination!
I love apricot preserves too and it looks perfect in these streusel bars! Every time we have a forecast for a big snow, it seems to be nothing. I get my hopes up for a snow day from school and then – nothing! Ah well, it makes the driving easier when there isn’t any snow.
I bet you’d love these Kathy! Still hoping for a good snow storm before the season’s over!
Scrumptious is an understatement!
Thanks Matt!
mmm. . . the bars look incredible.
Thanks Sheryl! I have to say, they’re as delicious as they look!
I am a big fan of apricot preserves too, and always have a jar in my fridge. Can’t wait to bake up a batch of these bars with it! And thanks for the Netflix recommendation. We just finished Ozark and are looking for our next binge watch :)
My son Sean is a big fan of apricot preserves. I often make a Hungarian cookie called kifli which has an apricot filling and walnuts. It’s Sean’s favorite. So I was channeling my heritage with these bars today! Turn is so awesome Jennifer! We can’t stop watching!
I could totally get on board with these bars for breakfast! One of these right now would be perfect with my cup of coffee!
Hope you give them a try Leanne! Bet you’ll love them!
These do indeed sound totally scrumptious. The only change I’ll make is to use pecans. That is all I have and they sound too good to wait until I can go shopping. :) Thanks for the Turn recommendation, we are always looking for something new on Netflix.
I’ve made these with pecans instead of the walnuts and they’re equally as delicious Karen! I hope you can catch Turn! It’s such a great show!
Oh my what happened to the snow? There was such a work up to the storm… then nothing. I guess that’s a good thing… if you weren’t hoping for snow. I’m getting to that point too, Mare…. bring on the sugar and all the goodness of a sweet treat! These bars look fabulous and I adore apricot. Delicious work!
I actually get excited about a little snow Traci! As long as I can stay in the house and don’t have to venture out for anything. I have always loved the apricot walnut combo, and so does our son Sean. These are a real treat!
Ok, Mary Ann! You had me at apricot, but then you added “streusel” and I swooned. I’ve actually been looking to make a streusel-oriented recipe! For real. Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re so very welcome Laura! You’re going to love these!
these sound fabulous!
I know you’d really enjoy them Sherry!
Apricots and walnuts, what a wonderful combination for a streusel bar! I think I could definitely figure out an excuse to eat these for breakfast!
I bet you could Chris! They’re irresistible!
I could go for one of these with my cup of coffee right about now! Looks so delicious!
Thanks Leigh Ann! Perfect with your morning coffee! Take it from one who knows.
These are soooo cozy!
Totally Jennifer!
You’ve combined some of my favorites, Mary Ann: shortbread, apricot (anything!), and streusel…oh and walnuts!! These bars seriously look divine!
Thanks Marissa!
These bars look so crazy good. I could totally do with one right now. ;)
Such a tasty breakfast treat or dessert Alida!
Gorgeous bars, Mary Ann! I love the streusel topping!
Thanks Laura!