Apricot and Coconut Squares

Did your friend/ mum/ local internet provider just turn up on your doorstep and all you have to offer them with a cuppa is a ghost-town-empty biscuit tin?

Well here is a recipe to save the day! 

These wee morsels are so simple to whip up, and they use just a few key ingredients. 

See the bottom of the recipe for more flavour combo ideas.

Preheat oven to 180C (Bake).

Line a square tin with foil. A handy tip; flip your tin over and shape the foil around it to create an easy to insert foil lining! (Cannot claim the genius on that one sadly).

Ingredients:

115g butter (melted)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup caster sugar

1.5 tsp vanilla essence

A good pinch of salt

1 large egg

1 cup standard flour

1/2 cup desiccated coconut 

1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

Melt the butter and set aside to cool slightly.

Add the sugars to a bowl, along with the butter and mix until combined.

Add the vanilla, salt, and egg to the bowl and mix quickly and thoroughly.

Add the flour, along with the coconut and apricots (or your choice of additionals) and mix until well combined.

Pour and smooth the mixture into the tin and bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden.

Leave to cool before cutting into squares.

Additionals:

( essentially add 1 cup total of any of the options below that you like to the mix )

Chocolate chips

Dried fruit 

Nuts 

M&Ms 

Freeze dried fruit

Flavour combo ideas:

Coconut and Apricot Squares:

1/2 cup desiccated coconut, 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

Chocolate Chip Squares:

1/3 cup dark chocolate chips, 1/3 cup white chocolate chips, 1/3 cup milk chocolate chips

Raspberry and White Chocolate Squares:

1/3 cup freeze dried raspberries, 2/3 cup white chocolate chips

Cranberry and Almond Squares:

1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds, .5 tsp almond essence 

Coffee and Walnut Squares:

1 cup chopped toasted walnuts, 2 tbsp instant coffee (may need to dissolve in a splash of hot water before adding to the mix)