Elegant Almond Bars

Sugar cookie mix jumpstarts this irresistible almond lover’s bar!

COOKIE BASE 1 pouch (1 lb., 1.5 oz.) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 egg

FILLING 1 can (8 oz.) or 1 pkg. (7 oz.) almond paste, crumbled into 1/2" 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 Tbs. shortening

1/4 cup sliced almonds

● Preheat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until dough forms. Spread in ungreased 13"x9" pan. Bake 15-18 minutes or until light golden brown.

● Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat almond paste, sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter on low speed until blended. Add 2 eggs; beat until well blended (mixture may be slightly lumpy). Spread almond paste mixture over partially baked base. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup almonds. Bake 15-20 minutes longer or until filling is set (filling will puff up during baking). Cool completely, about 1 hour. ● In 1-qt. heavy pot, 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. Cut into 8 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature. Servings: 32. Cals.: 180. Protein: 3 g. Fat: 10 g. (4 g. saturated). Trans fat: 1 g. Chol.: 30 mg. Carbs.: 19 g. Sodium: 75 mg. Fiber: 0 g. Sugar: 14 g. Kitchen time: 25 minutes. Total time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.