Almond Apricot Bars

• 2/3 cup dried apricots
• 1 1/3 cup flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup cold unsalted butter
• 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted and divided
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions:
Place apricots in small saucepan. Add just enough water to cover the apricots, bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook 10 minutes. Drain well and coarsely chop and set aside.
Blend 1 cup flour with granulated sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add 1/2 cup almonds and stir or pulse a few times to mix. Pat into an UNGREASED 9 inch square pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
Beat eggs and brown sugar. Add extracts, peel, lemon juice baking powder and the remaining 1/3 cup flour and stir to blend. Stir in chopped apricots Pour over partially baked crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup almonds. Bake for 25 minutes more. Cool in pan on a rack. Cut into squares.