3rd Five Star Dessert Bars Recipe Contest
Jill Thompson - Woodford, VA
One of the preliminary winners at the Caroline County Fair
Makes 18 - 24 pieces
Almond Pie Bars
The mouthfeel and flavor of this is fabulous - it's really worth fixing if you like tasty, delicious morsels that you just pop in your mouth. Think of a wonderful pecan pie. Now replace the pecans with almonds. Then consider baking with a butter-rich shortbread crust, rather than a regular piecrust. Next, bake in a rectangular baking pan instead of a round pie plate - and cut into bars, diamonds, or triangles. And voila - you have Almond Pie Bars!
Shortbread Crust
| 2 cups all-purpose flour |
| ½ cup confectioners' sugar |
| 1 cup (two sticks) cold, unsalted, butter, cubed |
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13x9" baking pan with baking spray or line with parchment and spray. Combine the flour and sugar then cut in the cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs (use two knives in a crisscross motion) or use a food processor. Press into the baking pan, leveling out with hands or an off-set spatula. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned. Meanwhile, prepare the filling:
Filling
| 2 cups sugar |
| 1 cup chopped almonds |
| 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour |
| 4 eggs, room temperature and lightly beaten |
| ½ cup butter, melted |
| 1/3 cup light corn syrup |
| 1 teas. Almond extract |
Directions:
Combine sugar, almonds, and flour; stir in remaining ingredients, and pour over baked crust. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until the center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars, diamond shapes, or triangles. Store in refrigerator.
Garnish
| Sliced almonds |
| Powdered sugar (opt.) |
Directions:
Place an almond slice in the center of each. Sprinkle lightly, with powdered sugar, if desired.
