Almond Bars Final Recipe

Ingredients for Almond Bars Final

• Granulated Sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 4 ounces almond paste
• 1 large egg
• Almond Extract
• Toasted Sliced Almonds
• All Purpose Flour
• 8 ounces milk chocolate
• Shortening

How to Make Almond Bars Final

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Toast 1 cup of whole almonds for 7-12 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool completely.
3. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides for easy removal.
4. Grease the foil-lined pan with butter or cooking spray.
5. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
6. Add 4 ounces almond paste and continue creaming for another 2-3 minutes until well combined.
7. Beat in 1 teaspoon almond extract and 1 large egg for about 30 seconds until just combined.
8. Gradually add 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour and the toasted almonds, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
9. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
10. Bake for 22-27 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown.
11. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
12. Once cooled, chop 8 ounces of milk chocolate and 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening. Melt together in a double boiler or microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring until smooth.
13. Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the cooled bars.
14. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to set completely.
15. Lift the bars from the pan using the foil overhang and cut into 16 squares.