Apricot Banana Squares

🍑🍌 Apricot Banana Squares: A Delightful Dessert 🍑🍌

History:
Apricot Banana Squares are a delectable dessert that combines the sweet and tangy flavors of apricots with the natural sweetness of bananas. While there isn’t a well-documented history for this specific dish, it likely evolved as a creative way to use ripe bananas and seasonal apricots in a delightful treat.

Components:
To make Apricot Banana Squares, you’ll need the following components:

1. Ripe Bananas 🍌: These provide natural sweetness and a creamy texture to the dessert.

2. Fresh Apricots 🍑: Apricots add a tart and fruity flavor that complements the bananas.

3. Sugar 🍚: Used to sweeten the filling and the crust.

4. All-Purpose Flour 🍞: Forms the base of the crust.

5. Baking Powder 🧁: Adds leavening to make the crust light and fluffy.

6. Eggs 🥚: Bind the crust and provide structure to the dessert.

7. Vanilla Extract 🍦: Enhances the flavor with a subtle vanilla aroma.

8. Salt 🧂: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall taste.

Steps to Prepare:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a square baking dish.

2. For the crust:

   • In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.
   • Cut in 1/2 cup of cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   • Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the greased baking dish.
   • Bake the crust for about 15 minutes until it’s lightly golden.

3. While the crust is baking, prepare the filling:

   • In a separate bowl, mash 2 ripe bananas and stir in 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
   • Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups of chopped fresh apricots.

4. In another bowl, beat 2 eggs and then mix them into the banana and apricot mixture.

5. Once the crust has finished baking, remove it from the oven.

6. Pour the banana and apricot filling over the hot crust, spreading it evenly.

7. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes until the filling is set and the top is golden brown.

8. Let it cool completely before cutting into squares.

Time Needed:
The preparation and baking of Apricot Banana Squares should take approximately 60-70 minutes, including prep time. The cooling time will add an extra 30-45 minutes, so in total, you can expect to spend around 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish.

Enjoy your Apricot Banana Squares – a delightful dessert that beautifully combines the flavors of ripe bananas and fresh apricots! 🍑🍌😊

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Apricot Banana Squares:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving):

• Calories: 180-220 kcal
• Total Fat: 7-10g
• Saturated Fat: 4-6g
• Cholesterol: 35-50mg
• Sodium: 100-150mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 27-35g
• Dietary Fiber: 1-2g
• Sugars: 15-20g
• Protein: 2-3g

Health Information:

1. Vitamins and Minerals: Apricots are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. Bananas also provide potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. These vitamins and minerals play important roles in maintaining overall health.

2. Fiber: While this dessert isn’t particularly high in fiber, it does provide some due to the presence of fruit. Fiber is essential for digestive health and can help regulate blood sugar levels.

3. Moderation: Apricot Banana Squares are a delicious dessert, but they are also moderately high in calories and sugar. It’s important to enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

4. Natural Sweetness: One of the positive aspects of this dessert is that it uses the natural sweetness of bananas and apricots, reducing the need for added sugars.

5. Portion Control: Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid overindulging. Cutting the dessert into reasonable serving sizes can help with portion control.

6. Fruit Benefits: Both apricots and bananas provide essential vitamins and minerals, and incorporating them into desserts like this can be a way to make your sweet treats slightly more nutritious.

Remember that the specific nutrition values may vary based on the size of your serving and the exact ingredients used in your recipe. It’s always a good idea to consult a nutritionist or use a nutritional calculator for precise information if you have specific dietary concerns. Enjoy your Apricot Banana Squares in moderation as part of a balanced diet! 🍑🍌😊