Chocolate Almond Bars

By d_s1

Ingredients

• Base:
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup icing sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup ground almonds
• 1/4 cup flour
• pinch salt
• Topping:
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• Glaze:
• 1 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

Preparation

Step 1

In bowl, beat butter until creamy; gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually stir in almonds, flour and salt. Pat mixture into greased 8" square pan. Bake at 350° F for 12 minutes or until lightly coloured.
Topping: Meanwhile, in saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in corn syrup, sugar, 1 Tbsp water and lemon juice; bring to boil over medium heat, whisking. Boil, whisking, for 3 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in almonds and extract. Spread over base; bake for 15 minutes until golden. Let cool slightly on rack.
Glaze: Melt chocolate and drizzle over squares. Cut into bars. Let cool completely.