Fancy Glazed Almond Bars Recipe πͺ
Overview:
These Fancy Glazed Almond Bars are a delightful addition to your holiday tray, boasting a perfect balance of sweetness and almond flavor. While they require a bit of effort, the end result is undeniably worth it. The recipe, sourced from a 1997 issue of Midwest Living, yields around 4 dozen bars, making it ideal for sharing or gifting during the festive season.
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Prep Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours and 9 minutes
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter | 1/2 cup |
| Sugar | 3/4 cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Baking powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Almond extract | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Flour | 1 3/4 cups |
| Milk | 2 – 3 tablespoons |
| Powdered sugar | To taste |
| Milk (for glaze) | As needed |
| Almonds (sliced) | As needed |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for about 30 seconds until creamy.
- Gradually add the sugar, continuing to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, followed by the baking powder, almond extract, and salt, until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour to the mixture, beating until just combined.
- Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator until it’s easy to handle, typically for about 1 to 3 hours.
-
-
Shape and Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 375Β°F (190Β°C).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12×6 inch rectangle, working with half of the dough at a time.
- Cut the rolled dough into 12×3 inch strips.
- Then, cut each strip crosswise into 1-inch bars.
- Brush the bars with milk, ensuring they’re evenly coated.
- Sprinkle sliced almonds over the bars, gently pressing them into the dough.
- Transfer the bars onto a baking sheet, placing them about 1 inch apart.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough.
- Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 8-9 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the bottoms are lightly browned.
- Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
-
Prepare the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a small amount of milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled almond bars, adding a decorative touch to these already delightful treats.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 672.8
- Fat: 28.8g
- Saturated Fat: 15.4g
- Cholesterol: 114.2mg
- Sodium: 374.3mg
- Carbohydrates: 96.2g
- Fiber: 2.4g
- Sugar: 52.9g
- Protein: 9.2g
Tips:
- For a more pronounced almond flavor, you can add a few drops of almond extract to the glaze.
- To achieve clean cuts when slicing the bars, consider chilling the dough briefly after rolling it out.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several days, making them perfect for make-ahead holiday baking.
Indulge in the irresistible combination of buttery dough, crunchy almonds, and sweet glaze with these Fancy Glazed Almond Bars. They’re sure to become a favorite on your holiday dessert platter!
