Description
Classic French almond bars showcase elegant Parisian pastry craft with buttery, nutty layers. Crisp exterior and rich interior promise delightful moments when you savor each delicate bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks/226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.
- Batter Foundation: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then blend in eggs and almond extract systematically to create a smooth mixture.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl to ensure even distribution of dry components.
- Batter Composition: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a light, uniform texture.
- Pan Arrangement: Spread batter evenly in prepared pan, creating a consistent layer and decorating surface with sliced almonds for visual appeal.
- Baking Process: Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating perfect doneness.
- Cooling and Finishing: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan, then cut into precise squares or rectangles and dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently to avoid tough, dense bars; mix just until ingredients combine to maintain a tender texture.
- Customize Almond Intensity: Adjust almond extract quantity to personal taste preference, starting with less and gradually increasing for balanced flavor.
- Ensure Even Baking: Spread batter uniformly in pan and rotate midway through baking to achieve consistent golden-brown edges and prevent uneven cooking.
- Modify for Dietary Needs: Substitute gluten-free flour blend for all-purpose flour to create a celiac-friendly version, maintaining the recipe’s delicate texture and flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 246
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg