Almond Bars

The original recipe calls these "elegant", which just sounds a bit silly to me, so I'm just going to call them almond bars. Delicious almond bars, that is! These are great, 10/10, will absolutely make again! They are fairly easy, but do require a couple of ingredients not likely just hanging around in your pantry. 

Link to my YouTube video of preparation: https://youtu.be/wV4t9pa4M38

Link to original recipe: https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/elegant-almond-bars/7fe30441-a4da-40ea-9170-09561efe8827

Recipe below contains my modifications.

Ingredients:

cookie base--

1 pouch (17.5 oz.) Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix

1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 egg

filling--

1 pkg. (8 oz.) almond paste, crumbled into small chunks (see video for more on this)

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. unsalted butter, melted

2 eggs

~1/4 c. blanched slivered almonds, lightly toasted, finely chopped (original recipe calls for 1/2 c. sliced almonds, so you can use those instead if desired)

topping--

2 oz. white chocolate baking bar (I used Ghirardelli), broken up in small pieces (*I think I will use 3 oz next time)

2 tsp. butter flavored Crisco

optional: maraschino cherries, for garnish/decoration when serving

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. 

2. In a large bowl, stir together all cookie base ingredients only, until combined into a soft dough. Press/spread dough in an even layer into an ungreased 9"x13" baking pan. Bake for 15 min.

3. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand/electric mixer, mix together the almond paste, sugar, and butter on low speed until blended. Add the eggs and beat on low to begin, then increase to medium, beating until well combined. Mixture may still be lumpy; this is normal.

4. Spread the almond paste mixture over the baked cookie base using a flexible spatula/scraper. Sprinkle the finely chopped almonds evenly atop the mixture. 

5. Bake for 18-20, or until filling is set and edges are golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack and let rest for at least 1 hour before topping (next step).

6. For the last topping--Prepare a double boiler and place the white chocolate pieces and shortening in the top part to melt. Stir until completely melted and combined, then drizzle atop the cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve! (with the cherries, if desired, a nice addition :))