Almond Bars — Final!
π Cook Time: 25 minutes | π Prep Time: 15 minutes | π Total Time: 40 minutes
π Description: Indulge in the delightful combination of almonds and chocolate with these scrumptious Almond Bars — Final! A perfect treat to share with loved ones during the festive season or any occasion!
πͺ Recipe Category: Bar Cookie
π Keywords: Dessert, Cookie & Brownie, Fruit, Nuts, Christmas, < 60 Mins, For Large Groups, Oven
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 252.4
- Fat Content: 15.3g
- Saturated Fat Content: 5.5g
- Cholesterol Content: 30.1mg
- Sodium Content: 62.1mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 25.6g
- Fiber Content: 1.7g
- Sugar Content: 15.4g
- Protein Content: 4.2g
Servings: 16 bars | Yield: 16 bars
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup almond paste
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1 1/4 cups milk chocolate
- 4 teaspoons vegetable shortening
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 375Β°F (190Β°C).
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Toast almonds: Spread sliced almonds evenly on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for 7-12 minutes, or until they become fragrant and lightly browned. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning. Once toasted, set aside to cool.
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Prepare pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with foil, ensuring there’s enough extra foil on the sides to lift the finished bars out of the pan easily. Grease the foil-lined pan to prevent sticking.
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Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together granulated sugar, salt, and butter until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes using an electric mixer or stand mixer.
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Incorporate almond paste: Add almond paste to the creamed mixture and continue to beat for an additional 2-3 minutes until well combined and smooth.
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Add egg and extract: Beat in the egg and almond extract until fully incorporated, about 30 seconds.
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Mix in flour and almonds: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and toasted sliced almonds to the mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough bars.
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Press into pan: Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press it evenly into the bottom using your hands or a spatula.
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Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 22-27 minutes, or until the top of the bars just starts to turn golden brown.
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Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
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Prepare chocolate topping: Once the bars have cooled, chop the milk chocolate into small pieces and place them in a microwave-safe bowl along with the vegetable shortening. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
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Top with chocolate: Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cooled bars, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
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Set chocolate: Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or place the pan in the refrigerator for quicker setting.
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Slice and serve: Once the chocolate has set, lift the bars out of the pan using the foil overhang, and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into 16 squares using a sharp knife.
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Enjoy: Serve and enjoy these delicious Almond Bars — Final! with friends and family, or indulge in them as a sweet treat for yourself!
These bars are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday celebration, a cozy night in, or a special dessert for a gathering. Their nutty almond flavor combined with the rich chocolate topping makes them irresistible to anyone who tries them. Plus, they’re easy to make and can be stored for several days in an airtight container, although they rarely last that long once people taste them! So whip up a batch of these Almond Bars — Final! and get ready to delight your taste buds!
