Apricot Bars

 3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 jar (10 to 12 oz) apricot preserves

1.  Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well.  Fold in coconut and walnuts.

2.  Press two-thirds of dough onto the bottom of a greased 13x9 inch baking pan.  Spread with preserves; crumble remaining dough over preserves.  Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.  Cut into bars.

Tip: To use softened butter quicker- shred it using the largest holes of your box grater.  The butter will reduce to a fluffy heap and soften faster.  Shredded butter is ready to use in your recipe right away.