Elegant Almond Bars

Elegant Almond Bars

Ingredients

Cookie Base

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 egg

Filling

1 can (8 oz) or 1 package (7 oz) almond paste, crumbled into 1/2-inch pieces

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 eggs

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Topping

2 oz white chocolate baking bar, coarsely chopped (1/3 cup)

2 tablespoons shortening

1/4 cup sliced almonds

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms. Spread in ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown.
• 2 Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat almond paste, sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Add 2 eggs; beat until well blended (mixture may be slightly lumpy).
• 3 Spread almond paste mixture over partially baked base. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup almonds. Bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until filling is set (filling will puff up during baking). Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• 4 In 1-quart heavy saucepan, melt white chocolate and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Pour and spread over cooled bars. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup almonds. Let stand about 30 minutes or until topping is set. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature.