Fig, Raisin, Date, Prune or Apricot-filled Bar

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup shortening
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk
• 3½ cups flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Dried fruit filling

• 1½ cups dried raisins, dates, figs, prune, apricots, or other dried fruit
• ½ cup water
• additional sweetener to taste, if desired
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. First mix ingredients in order given, sifting the flour with the baking powder and salt before adding it.
3. Roll thin, cut, and put in greased pans.
4. Chill for one hour.
5. While dough is chilling, make the filling.

Dried fruit filling

1. Cook slowly on the stovetop, stirring constantly, until thickened.
2. Allow to cool.
3. After dough is chilled and filling is cooled, roll dough out on a piece of parchment or silicone baking sheet.
4. Cut the dough into long strips about 3 inches wide using a dull knife.
5. Place the filling in a strip along the center lengthwise, then fold both sides over to cover the filling.
6. Roll the log over so that the seam side is down.
7. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until just golden around the edges.
8. Let cool, then cut into 1 inch bars.