Apricot Macadamia Caramel Bars

  • Prep 30 min
  • Total 1 hr 30 min
  • Servings 25

Ingredients

Shortbread Cookie Crust

  • 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Topping

  • 24 vanilla caramels, unwrapped
  • 1/4 cup whipping cream
  • 1 package (7 oz) dried apricots, chopped, about 1 1/3 cups
  • 1 jar (6 oz) macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped, about 1 1/3 cups

Drizzle

  • 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Steps

  • 1
    Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add flour and salt; mix until soft dough forms. With floured hands, press dough in bottom of ungreased 9-inch square pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels and whipping cream over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; stir in apricots and macadamia nuts. Spoon mixture evenly over crust; spread carefully.
  • 3
    In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and oil uncovered on High 30 to 45 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over bars.
  • 4
    Refrigerate 1 hour or until set. Cut into 5 rows by 5 rows.

  • To keep apricots from sticking to knife during chopping, dip blade in hot water.
  • Cashews or pecans can be substituted for the macadamia nuts.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Bar
Calories
210
Calories from Fat
120
Total Fat
13g
20%
Saturated Fat
5g
26%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
15mg
6%
Sodium
105mg
4%
Potassium
180mg
5%
Total Carbohydrate
20g
7%
Dietary Fiber
1g
6%
Sugars
9g
Protein
2g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
10%
10%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
6%
6%
Iron
6%
6%
Exchanges:
1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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