Apricot Oatmeal Bars

INGREDIENTS

• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut up
• 2 teaspoons soft butter for greasing pan
• 1 cup firmly packed dried apricots
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract