Almond Bars Recipe Dessert For Two

What are Almond Bars?

Let’s start with a definition, because if you’ve never had these cookies, you’re going to want to fix that! Almond bars are the best buttery Christmas shortbread bars with that insanely delicious almond extract flavor and crunchy roasted almonds on top. The almond glaze on these cookies is something I like to add to my coffee the entire month of December, but maybe that’s too much information. My friend Heather asked me for a recipe for almond bars after trying one on the internet that didn’t work out for her. Since shortbread is one of my big loves in life (see: chocolate shortbread and honey shortbread that tastes like the best version of a graham cracker your’e ever had!), I happily baked these for her! If you love marzipan and all things scented and flavored with almond extract, this recipe is for you. There’s something so Christmassy about almond extract and freshly toasted nuts. These remind me of my Almond Horns, and now these almond bars are going to be on the holiday cookie table next to them!

Almond Bar Recipe Ingredients

Butter. This recipe is made in an 8-inch square pan, so it only requires ½ a stick (4 tablespoon/ 2 ounces) of unsalted butter, softened. Cream Cheese. Two tablespoons (22 grams) of cream cheese that has also been softened alongside the butter. Sugar. One-half cup of white granulated sugar. Almond Extract. This is very strong stuff, so ½ teaspoon is plenty for the entire pan of almond bars. Flour. I prefer to bake this recipe by weight, so measure out 112 grams of flour. This is roughly ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Baking Powder. One teaspoon of baking powder. Sliced Almonds. One-half cup of sliced almonds for topping the cookies. Sliced almonds are very thing and you can see the skin on the edges. They’re not the same as slivered almonds, which are cut the opposite way and are too thick for this recipe. Milk. The smallest splash of milk just to help the almonds adhere to the top of the dough. We’ll also use a small amount of milk to make the frosting. Powdered Sugar. Just ½ cup to make an almond scented frosting for drizzling on top.

How to make almond bars

Almond Bar Variations

If you don’t like the flavor of almond extract, you can absolutely use the same amount of vanilla extract in its place here.

How to store Almond Bar Cookies

Store sliced almond bar cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. You can refrigerate for a longer shelf-life, and thaw at room temperature before serving. You can freeze these cookies carefully (for up to 3 months) if you can ensure nothing will get stacked on top of them and break them. It’s best to freeze them without the frosting on top. These almond bars are great sliced into little sticks and wrapped into gift bags with a ribbon. They’re sturdy enough to dunk in hot chocolate, and the flavor of almonds plus chocolate is next level!