When I read through the recipe, however, I realized that the rosemary was not mixed directly with the apricots, but was in the crust, so I thought it would probably give the crust a really nice flavor. It sure gave it a wonderful fragrance and when the dough was pressed in the pan, the rosemary made the crust look really pretty with the flecks of green throughout the dough.
When I made the filling, it actually took about 60 minutes on low for the syrup to almost evaporate. When I tasted it after pureeing the apricot mixture, I didn't think the filling was too sweet. The filling turned into a lovely rich, brown color and I could taste the honey and the brandy - neither of which overpowered the apricots.
The crumb mixture has brown sugar and pecans which is a perfect topping for these squares. These taste very good and, to me, are reminiscent of fig newtons - one of my favorite cookies. I think they are a perfect treat for Father's Day.
You can visit the rest of the group by following their links, and you can also find the recipe, over at BAKED Sunday Mornings.
I've looked at this recipe a couple of times and thought very much the same way.. "I just can't imagine the pairing.." I'm convinced that I need to make these!
ReplyDeleteRosemary and apricots sounds unusual, and in dessert. I have seen quite a number of such combinations, very curious to try
ReplyDeleteThey sure are a perfect treat for today and everybody loved the pairing and flavours this side too:-)
ReplyDeleteUr bars look so perfectly delicious!
These were so good! Your bars look beautiful and delicious!
ReplyDeleteThese are good! I was apprehensive about the apricot/rosemary thing too! Your bars look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteElaine, I was a bit worried about the rosemary too, however, I was pleasantly surprised! Wonderful flavor combination! Yours look beautiful! Lovely photos! They are definitely a perfect treat for Father's Day!
ReplyDeleteThese look absolutely delicious! Glad you added them to your arsenal of baked goods!
ReplyDeleteYour rosemary crust definitely looks beautiful with the bits of rosemary sprinkled throughout it!
ReplyDeleteReally great post, Elaine! And I agree - this is what I like best about our cooking groups, too - trying new things!
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know about the problem with my link - I'm trying to get it fixed.
Elaine, yum!! Yours look divine--love your photos! I havent looked at this recipe yet...it sounds wonderful and I like your description about them being similar to a fig newton, which I have always loved! Hope you all are enjoying a nice Father's Day in CA! xo
ReplyDeleteThese look delicious! But I have to admit, rosemary and apricot aren't flavors that would have jumped out at me either. It's always good to step outside of our comfort zone, right :-)
ReplyDeleteThese look and sound incredible! I didn't make them since I knew I'd be the only one eating them! Too many tempting sweets around without having one purely for myself. Wish I could try just one :)
ReplyDeleteI am also glad that the apricots and the rosemary were not both in the filling. I really enjoyed the combination. Hope everyone enjoyed the father's day treat.
ReplyDeleteit's funny, when my husband saw the fruit mixture, he asked me why i didn't pick figs or dates :) your bars look great!
ReplyDeleteVery daring - nice work. I don't bake much either, but do eat baked goods often. I'm a sucker for local bakeries...
ReplyDeletelove your pics! I agree, the rosemary green specks make the dough look so pretty. And they were the perfect father's day treat!
ReplyDeleteI love rosemary, and judging by the photos, I would loooove a bite of those bars!
ReplyDeleteThese look great!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying seeing the Baked posts - I get to live vicariously through my French Fridays cohorts who are also doing this bake-a-long.
ReplyDeleteThese squares look delicious. I'm really enjoying seeing so many recipes lately that incorporate so-called savoury herbs into desserts. It brings another layer of flavour to something that could simply be sweet.
Your bars look so good and that thick layer of apricot filling looks beautiful! It was good to hear that the rosemary worked in this recipe b/c I agree that it sounds odd at first. I'll have to give these a try!!
ReplyDeleteThese bars do look amazing! I think rosemary and apricots would be a marriage made in heaven;-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I loved how the crust was speckled with garden rosemary and enjoyed the flavor. Work folk thought they were odd, but they're also "odd"! So more for me - wonderful display and setting!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy rosemary flavor on sweet treats. Love the recipe and love your blog
ReplyDeleteLove this Elaine ! Thanks for the rosemary crust idea, seems like it would be great with many different recipes Hope you're enjoying Summer : )
ReplyDeleteThis one probably wouldn't have appealed to me either, but yours look wonderful. Your description of the flavors really makes them sound good!
ReplyDeleteI would have had the same thoughts as you and flicked right past the recipe, but that's what continually amazes me about groups like these, that they push us out of our comfort zones and we are pleasantly surprised by the end result!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and the slice looks delicious!