Apricot Delight Recipe – Easy Chewy Coconut Apricot Squares

I wasn’t sure if I could make an apricot dessert when I first started thinking about it. Although they don’t show up in every dessert, apricots seem to be the perfect fruit for a home-baked treat because of their rich, acidic flavor. My interest led me to try the Apricot Delight Recipe, and I discovered that it’s not only really delicious but also very easy to make. It was interesting to consider turning dried apricots into a cold, chewy, and soft dessert. When I eventually had the opportunity to try it, I discovered that anyone could successfully make this dish at home.

Let’s start by answering the common query that most people have, how to make apricot delight? Dehydrating dried apricots, blending them into a paste, boiling them in sugar and lemon, and then arranging them in delicious squares with coconut on top makes it simple. It’s a traditional yet caring method of creating desserts. Let’s explore it:

Best Way to Prepare Apricot Delight Recipe

I realized that patience is the most important factor as soon as I learned how to make apricot delight. Unlike other desserts that can be made quickly, this one is unique. The ideal method is to soak the dried apricots for a long time to soften them, then blend them into a paste and boil the mixture gently to thicken it.

However, it does require some care and attention. All you have to do is spread it out, let it cool, and then cut it into squares. This recipe’s benefit is that it transforms dried fruit into a chewy, candy-like treat. Made with dried apricots, it’s likely one of the easiest desserts to make and requires little advanced baking skills.

How to Make Apricot Delight Recipe (Step-by-Step Guide)

This recipe can be prepared in a few simple steps. I’ll walk you through everything I did, from preparing the apricots to serving the final dessert.

Step 01: Choosing and Preparing the Apricots

My dried apricots looked bright orange, chewy, and soft when I opened my package. Because they give the dessert its flavor, premium apricots make a significant difference. I let them sit for about half an hour after soaking them in a dish of warm water. As a result, they became soft enough to blend easily. The apricots were juicy and fragrant after softening. I drained them and set them aside, ready for the next step.

Step 02: Ingredients for Apricot Delight Recipe

To prepare this sweet, I gathered a few simple things that are easy to find. Here are the ingredients for apricot delight that I used:

• Dried apricots (2 cups, soaked)
• One cup of sugar
• Half a cup of water
• One tablespoon of lemon juice
• Two tablespoons desiccated coconut (for coating)
• A little butter or ghee for greasing the tray

These basic ingredients are enough to create a chewy and refreshing dessert that tastes as good as it looks.

Step 03: Cooking the Apricot Mixture

I put the soaked apricots in a blender and processed them until they became a thick paste. My dessert was built on top of the paste. It had a rich, natural flavor and was both sweet and sour when I tried it. After that, I put the apricot paste, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a non-stick pan that had been heated.

I moved the mixture frequently to keep it from sticking as it started to boil. It gradually thickened, turned smooth, and pulled away from the pan’s sides. That was a sign that it was finished. The lovely scent filled the kitchen, and as I prepared to set it, I could feel my excitement growing.

Step 04: Setting in a Tray

I spread the heated apricot mixture evenly across a flat plate that had been coated with butter. I covered it with desiccated coconut as soon as it warmed up. The coconut gave the golden-orange paste a beautiful white contrast. I let it come to room temperature and cool completely. This requires patience, but it’s essential since you can’t cut clean pieces until the mixture has hardened.

Step 05: Shaping into Balls

Start by making this recipe by rolling a small amount of the Apricot mixture. Now start turning the mixture into balls. I love to make tiny balls of it. I carefully use both of my hands and coat the balls completely with the dry coconut. This is the most important method because in this way your Apricot balls will not stick with other balls and you can make it even more flavorful by laying with coconut.

Now let it rest just to let them cool. This is the delicious dessert that I have ever tried. The center has a chewy and fruity flavor, and the coconut gives a snow-white touch. These Apricot balls are perfect for parties, family get-togethers, and multiple occasions. It’s easy to carry, keep, and serve.

Step 06: Using a Mold

Instead of using a flat pan, you can pour the warm apricot mixture into silicone molds to make an even more creative dessert. The molds can be shaped like stars, hearts, or flowers, and as the dessert cools and hardens, it will appear festive and exciting.

You’ll get tidy, bite-sized treats with lovely patterns after the mixture solidifies, just pop the pieces out. Kids particularly like these shaped pieces, which makes them ideal for gatherings with relatives, celebrations, and gift boxes. It’s a quick and easy way to liven up this straightforward traditional dish.

Step 07: The Final Dish

Each piece of the cooled mixture, which was dusted with delicate coconut, glistened and turned gold when I sliced it into small squares. The first mouthful was delicious, chewy, sweet, tangy, and bursting with a cool fruitiness. The coconut gave it a nutty texture and perfectly matched the tastes. It was a light but filling dessert. I knew it would be a delight worth going back to because it was both old and modern.

Tips for Beginners

A few minor tips will make making apricot delight easier and more successful if you’re doing it for the first time. The dried apricots should be soaked for a sufficient amount of time to soften and purée into a smooth and fine paste. To keep the mixture from sticking or charring at the bottom of the pan, cook it over medium heat while stirring constantly.

Allow the mixture to cool completely after cooking, as cutting too soon could cause the pieces to crumble. If you like stronger flavors, you may also add a pinch of cardamom or saffron during cooking, which gives the dessert a beautiful scent and a luxurious feel.

Why You Should Try Apricot Delight Recipe

Apricot joy is one of the simplest candies to make at home, even though it may look difficult. Sugar, coconut, and dried apricots can be combined to create a dessert that tastes as good as it looks.
 This recipe also brings back memories of earlier cooking eras when natural flavors were valued and fruit sweets were common. I found cooking this dish to be calming and fulfilling. Since hardly anyone gets to experience such a unique home-made treat, being able to share it with family increased the delight.

Conclusion

It’s a wonderful experience to try the Apricot Delight recipe every weekend with my friends. This is one of the most favorite recipes that everyone loves at my home. I personally love to enjoy sweet recipes and desserts. It’s an enjoyable adventure picking the apricots and blending them to make a smooth texture. And the flavor with sugar and lemon makes it chewy and delicious. My family members love the coating of coconut on it.

Don’t be afraid to attempt this recipe because whenever you start making it will perfectly turn out after getting the correct method. Try to use dried apricots because they are more flavorful. I believe that after following my step-by-step guide, you can easily cook Apricot Delight at home if you are a beginner. This is a satisfying method, and every bite has a heavenly, divine taste. Happy Cooking with me!

FAQs

How to make apricot delight at home?

To make apricot delight, soak dried apricots, blend them into a paste, cook with sugar and lemon juice, then spread the mixture on a tray, sprinkle with coconut, and let it set before cutting.

What are the main ingredients for apricot delight?

The main ingredients are dried apricots, sugar, water, lemon juice, and desiccated coconut. Butter or ghee is used for greasing the tray.

Can I use fresh apricots instead of dried ones?

Yes, but dried apricots give a stronger flavor and better texture. If you use fresh ones, cook them longer to remove excess moisture.

How long does apricot delight last?

Stored in an airtight container, it stays fresh for about a week at room temperature or two weeks in the fridge.

Is apricot delight a healthy dessert?

Yes, it’s healthier than many store-bought sweets since it uses fruit as the main ingredient. You can also reduce the sugar if you prefer a lighter version.

Can I add nuts to the apricot delight?

Yes, chopped almonds, pistachios, or cashews can be mixed into the paste or sprinkled on top for extra crunch and flavor.