Almond Shortbread Bars

These rich and tasty little treats are so good that you will find yourself looking for reasons to walk into the kitchen and sneak one when no one is looking.  And don't even think that no one saw you.  Because, as soon you exit the kitchen - one of your kids will be standing there...looking at you...and asking what you are eating and if they can have some.  And then you say "noooooooooooo . . .mama was just drinking a glass of water...."  Seriously.  These are so buttery and melt in your mouth - perfect with a cup of coffee or tea - or even by themselves.  They are deliciously yummy and completely melt in your mouth with each buttery-almond bite.  It's hard to eat just one because they are just that good!  

Almond Shortbread Bars

Yield:  16

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 Cups Flour

3/4 Cup Butter, softened

1/3 Cup Powdered Sugar 

12.5 oz. Can of Almond Filling

Step 1:  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Step 2:  In the bowl of a mixer, add the butter, flour and powdered sugar.  Mix until very well blended and crumbly.

Step 3:  Reserve about 1/3 of the dough from Step 2 and set aside.  With the remianing 2/3s of dough - press it into a 9x9 square baking pan.  Try to make the layer as even as possible, but it certainly does not need to be perfect!

Step 4:  Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven.  Let cool slightly for about 5 minutes.  Make sure to leave the oven on during this time.

Step 5: It's now time to spread the Almond Filling onto the shortbread crust.  I found that the easiest method to do so was to scoop dollops of the filling from the can and place onto the crust.  Then, with an offset spatula - gently, very gently, spread the filling across the shortbread crust.  The crust is very delicate - so be gentle.  It will so be worth it!

Step 6:  Once the filling has been spread on the crust, take the remaining dough and crumble it on top of the almond filling.  Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes.  

Step 7:  Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting and eating.