Make Ahead

Apricot Almond Bars

March 30, 2016
3.8
4 Ratings
Photo by garlic and zest
  • Makes 16
Author Notes


A butter rich cake-like bar with a layer of sweet-tart apricot jam and a douse of crunchy sliced almonds! —garlic and zest

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Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup packed canned almond paste* (about 5 oz; not marzipan), coarsely crumbled
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup apricot preserves
  • 1/3 cup raw sliced almonds
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line an 8" square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving about 2"-3" of overhang on either side. Spray lightly with vegetable spray and set aside.
  2. In a food processor (not a mini prep), add the almond paste and pulse until the paste is reduced to crumbs. Add the salt and sugar and pulse until well combined. Add the egg and process until smooth. Add the almond extract and the flour and pulse until well combined.
  3. Spread the batter evenly in the bottom of the pan.
  4. If the apricot preserves are chunky, place them in a mini prep food processor and pulse several times until smooth. Spread the apricot preserves evenly over the batter. Sprinkle preserves with almonds.
  5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until almonds are browned and cookie base is set. Remove from oven and cool for an hour. Grasp the parchment paper to lift the bar cookie out of the pan and set on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into 16 equal squares.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

5 Reviews

Lorraine A. December 11, 2020
The recipe doesn’t say when to add the butter. It should be added after the salt and sugar.
Shirin M. August 8, 2020
Please update to include adding the butter in the directions.
Libby D. July 15, 2018
I'm assuming the butter goes in before the egg
Nick W. May 13, 2018
You didnt say to add butter, so I didn't. Mother's day is ruined now.
ILENE R. April 16, 2017
You overlooked the directions and did not notate when to add the butter. I just guessed and yes, they are GREAT! Taking to a party tonight and I know they won't last long.