Apricot Nut Bread

I am on an apricot theme wishing for Summertime. The next best thing is using dried apricots for that intense flavor explosion. I've had this clipping for years; not sure where it came from.

1 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons soft shortening
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup orange juice
4 teaspoons grated orange rind
3 cups sifted flour
3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped nuts
1 cup finely chopped dried apricots

Mix sugar, shortening and egg. Stir in milk, orange juice, and grated orange rind. Sift together and stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Blend in nuts and apricots. Pour into well greased loaf pan. Let stand 20 minutes before baking. Bake about 70 minutes at 350 degrees.

Granny's Apricot Pudding

I found this recipe in a Washington Cookbook. Since I love anything with dried apricots I had to try it. This comes out alot like the traditional banana pudding, only better!

1 package dried apricots
3/4 cup sugar
pinch salt
3 Tablespoons flour
3 eggs, seperated
1 Tablespoon butter
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 package vanilla wafers

Cook the apricots in very little water, then grind or sieve. Cook together until thickened; sugar, salt, flour, egg yolks, butter, milk and vanilla. Beat the egg whites and fold into cooled custard. Set aside. Crush vanilla wafers with a rolling pin(?) until they are crumbs. In serving dish, alternate layers of wafer crumbs, custard, and apricots. Top with wafer crumbs and serve chilled with whipped cream.