Almond flavor infuses every bite of these chewy and sweet bars. For the fruit, you can go traditional and use cherry preserves, or go with whatever flavor or blend you want. Modified from Better Homes & Gardens December 2023.
Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: almond, bars, jam, preserves
Author: Beth Cato
Equipment
15x10x1-inch pan (jelly roll pan)
aluminum foil
nonstick spray or butter
uneven spatula
Ingredients
Bars
1 1/4cupsunsalted butter softened
1cupconfectioners’ sugar
2/3cupwhite sugar
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1teaspoonalmond extract
2 2/3cupsall-purpose flour
1 1/2cupsfruit preserves
7 or 8 ouncesalmond paste
1/2cupchopped almonds
Glaze
2/3cupconfectioners’ sugar
1teaspoonalmond extract
1Tablespoonwater
Instructions
Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Line a 15x10x1 pan with a large piece of aluminum foil. Add nonstick spray or butter to coat.
In a large bowl, beat butter to soften. Add both sugars to thoroughly combine. Add both extracts. Beat in flour until just combined, scraping the bottom of the bowl a few times. Press dough evenly into the base of the pan. Bake until set, 20 to 25 minutes.
Use an uneven spatula to spread fruit preserves over top. Crumble up the almond paste and sprinkle over top. Sprinkle on almond pieces.
Bake for another 35 to 40 minutes, until both the almond paste and nuts have browned. Cool on a wire rack for a few hours, stashing in fridge to chill faster.
Mix glaze, adding more sugar or water as needed to create a thick yet drizzable texture. Drizzle on glaze. Let set again, at least 30 minutes, or in fridge.
Use foil to lift contents onto cutting board to slice up. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The bars can also be frozen fully prepared.