Elegant Almond Bars

By jlawrin

Ingredients

• Cookie Base
• 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 egg
• Filling
• 1 can (8 oz) or 1 package (7 oz) almond paste, crumbled into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• Topping
• 2 oz white chocolate baking bar, coarsely chopped (1/3 cup)
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Details

Servings 32

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms. Spread in ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown.

2. Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat almond paste, sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Add 2 eggs; beat until well blended (mixture may be slightly lumpy).

3. Spread almond paste mixture over partially baked base. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup almonds. Bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until filling is set (filling will puff up during baking). Cool completely, about 1 hour.

4. In 1-quart heavy saucepan, melt white chocolate and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Pour and spread over cooled bars. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup almonds. Let stand about 30 minutes or until topping is set. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature