Apricot Almond Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups gluten free old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 ¼ cups gluten free flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup S&J Almond Flour*
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp almond extract
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into ½ inch cubes
• 1 jar S&J Apricot Preserves*
• 2 to 3 tbsp. S&J Apricot Explosion Glazed Almonds, crushed for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9” x 13” x 2” baking pan.
2. Combine the oats, flour, sugar, almond flour, salt, and almond extract Add the butter and mix with a fork until the mixture forms loose crumbles. The mixture should hold together when pinched. Might have to use hands until mixture mixes together.
3. Set aside about 1 cup to use for the topping.
4. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
5. Spread the preserves over the top of the crust.
6. Sprinkle the reserved mixture over the top of the preserves.
7. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. 5 minutes before removing from the oven add the glazed almond pieces to the top to set.
9. Cool in the pan before cutting into bars.
10. Enjoy!