Almond Pie Bars
2023 Five Star Dessert Bars Contest - 3rd Prize
Jill Thompson - Caroline County
Makes 18 - 24 pieces
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 |
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13x9" baking pan with baking spray or line with parchment and spray.
Filling
| 2 cups sugar |
| 1 cup chopped almonds |
| 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour |
| 4 eggs, room temperature and lightly beaten |
| ½ cup butter, melted |
| ⅓ cup light corn syrup |
| 1 teas. Almond extract |
Instructions
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.
Filling
| Sliced almonds |
| Powdered sugar (opt.) |
Instructions
Place an almond slice in the center of each. Sprinkle lightly, with powdered sugar, if desired. Store in tins.