Description
Chocolate-packed Almond Delight Bars showcase rich Mediterranean flavors with a delicate nutty base. Creamy layers and silky chocolate combine for an irresistible dessert you’ll savor with pure pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 8 oz (226 g) almond paste
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp almond extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3–4 tbsps milk
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Calibrate the oven to 300°F and meticulously line a 9×13 baking dish with grease for seamless extraction.
- Base Creation: Utilize an electric mixer to amalgamate softened butter and almond paste, generating a silken, homogeneous blend.
- Batter Development: Integrate granulated sugar and eggs into the butter mixture, whipping vigorously until achieving a sumptuous, velvety texture.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Thoroughly sift flour and salt, ensuring uniform distribution to eliminate potential lumps.
- Mixture Composition: Gently incorporate the flour blend into the creamy foundation, employing delicate folding techniques to preserve the mixture’s airy structure.
- Baking Process: Distribute the batter evenly across the prepared pan, guaranteeing consistent baking and smooth surface.
- Thermal Treatment: Position the dish in the preheated oven, baking for approximately 1 hour until edges transform to a golden hue and the center achieves a firm consistency when lightly pressed.
- Glaze Crafting: Whisk powdered sugar, almond extract, and milk to produce a glossy, fluid topping.
- Finishing Touch: Immediately post-baking, cascade the prepared glaze across the warm surface, allowing subtle melting and creating an enticing sheen.
- Serving Preparation: Permit the glazed creation to cool completely at ambient temperature before executing precise, clean cuts for individual servings.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for smoother blending and better incorporation with almond paste, preventing lumpy texture.
- Mixing Technique is Key: Whip the butter and sugar mixture until light and fluffy, which creates a softer, more delicate bar texture.
- Baking Precision Crucial: Check doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out with minimal, moist crumbs for perfect moisture.
- Cooling Technique: Let bars cool completely before glazing to prevent runny glaze and ensure a clean, professional finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 276
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg