Friday Cake Bake - Apricot Slices

It's time for Friday Cake Bake again, where has the time gone? It doesn't seem five minutes since my last Cake Bake post.

I decided to use up the rest of the apricots from last week's cake; this time in slices. I've had this recipe for ages scribbled on a ruled page from a shorthand notepad worn thin by time and frequent use.

I've used this recipe so many times using different fillings like dates, or prunes and in the late summer fresh plums. You can serve the slices hot or cold, on a plate as cake or in a bowl with custard, yogurt or ice cream as a pudding. You can cut it into thin slices or huge squares whatever takes your fancy. Here is the recipe:-

8oz of dried, chopped apricots (or dates, figs, prunes etc)
a little lemon juice
8oz jumbo or rolled oats
6oz margarine
2oz golden syrup
4oz whole wheat flour
40z soft brown sugar

Place the dried fruit into a saucepan with the lemon juice and water to cover, simmer until soft - add more water if needed.

Mix the dry ingredients into a bowl and melt the margarine and golden syrup together in another pan then add to the dry ingredients.

Grease a shallow baking tin approx 8" square and firmly press half the oat mixture on the base. Cover this with the softened fruit, smooth down and then press the second half of the oat mix over the top - I use a spatula to press and smooth it all down.

Bake for 20 minutes at 180C/350F or Gas4. Allow to cool in the tin and then cut into slices or squares.

These are great for taking on a long walk with a flask of coffee or tea as they are tasty and filling.