Betty Crocker's Elegant Almond Bars

Cookie Base;
1 pouch Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
.5 cup butter or margarine, melted
.5 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg

Filling;
7 oz almond paste
.25 cup sugar
.25 butter or margarine
2 eggs
.5 cup sliced almonds

Topping;
2 tbsp shortening
.25 cup sliced almonds
2 oz Chocolate Candy Making and Dipping Bar - Ghirardelli

1. Heat oven to 350. 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. Springkle 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 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 nto 8 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature.

Number of Servings: 32

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user EMTRAVER.