Debbie.D.,.AL (4:58:34 PM) :

APRICOT ALMOND SQUARES

Crust:

1 pkg. yellow or white cake mix with pudding
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
1 cup apricot preserves

Filling:
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
2 T. all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1/3 cup apricot preserves
1/2 cup coconut

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease a 13X9" pan. In large bowl, combine cake mix and margarine; mix at low speed until crumbly. Stir in almonds. Reserve 1 cup crust mixture. Press remaining mixture into bottom of greased pan. Carefully spread 1 cup preserves over base.

In same bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, salt, vanilla extract, and egg until well blended. Beat in 1/3 cup preserves at low speed. Carefully spread mixture over crust. Combine reserved 1 cup crust mixture and coconut;sprinkle over filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and center is set. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 36 servings.