California Apricot Oatmeal Squares

2 sticks butter 
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1  1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1  (15 1/4 oz.) can California apricot halves, drained and
diced into small pieces (approx. 1 cup)
1  12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375°F

Servings:  About 20

Grease a 13”x9” pan and set aside.  Melt butter, add sugars and blend well.  Add eggs and vanilla and blend.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda and mix together.  Add mixture to the butter and sugars.  Add oats and blend until combined.  Add apricot halves and chocolate chips.  Spoon mixture evenly into pan and bake 20-25 minutes until toothpick pulls out clean; do not overbake.

Variations:  Omit chocolate chips; add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and an additional can of apricot halves (drained and diced).  Other possibilities include adding 1/2 cup of walnuts, almonds or coconut.