Fresh Plum Macroon Bars

By LoriCaputo

Ingredients

• ¾ cup butter
• 1 tbs. orange zest
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup ground almonds
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup flour
• ½ cup sliced almonds
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp. Orange rind, grated
• ½ cup almonds, ground
• ½ tsp. Baking powder
• 4 cups sliced plums

Preparation

Step 1

Beat butter and rind until creamy. Stir in sugar and almonds. Slowly add flour, using fingers when soft. Press pastry into a 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 -15 minutes.
Combine butter and ¼ cup each flour and sugar. Mix in sliced almonds and set aside for topping.
In another bowl, beat eggs with remaining sugar for 5 minutes, and stir in rind. Combine the remaining almonds and baking powder. Stir into the egg mix. Arrange the plums over the base and spread the egg mixture on top. Sprinkle with topping and bake at 375 degrees for 40 – 45 minutes.