Elegant Almond Bars - Betty Crocker Holiday Recipe Ideas
By Betty CrockerŽ
Dec 10, 2007, 16:21  

Prep Time: 25 Min
Start to Finish: 2 Hr 30 Min

Cookie Base

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty CrockerŽ sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, 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 or margarine, 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


1. Heat oven to 375°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 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.

Makes 32 Bars.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): In step 1, bake 18-21 minutes.

In step 3, bake 17 to 22 minutes.

Betty CrockerŽ is a Reg. T.M. of General Mills, Inc.

This year Betty Crocker is making it possible for families to decorate cookies online to benefit a good cause. By visiting www.BakeLifeSweeter.com, families can decorate a virtual cookie and email it to a friend. For every cookie eCard sent by Dec. 25, 2007, Betty Crocker will make a 10-cent donation to Toys for Tots (up to $25,000 total).