Golden Almond Bars

Almond Bars offer an exquisite culinary experience, masterfully blending the crumbly tenderness of classic shortbread with the sweet, chewy delight of sugar cookie bars. Each bite delivers a harmonious symphony of textures and flavors, crowned with crisp, golden sliced almonds and a luxurious almond glaze that melts in your mouth. These bars aren’t just a treat; they’re a celebration, making them the perfect centerpiece for holiday cookie exchanges, heartwarming neighbor gifts, or any occasion deserving of a truly special dessert. Their delicate yet satisfying nature ensures they will be an instant favorite among all who taste them.

Why You’ll Love These Almond Bars: A Perfect Holiday Treat

These Almond Bars are more than just a dessert; they are a delightful fusion of flavor and convenience, crafted to bring joy to any gathering. Here’s why this recipe deserves a prime spot in your baking repertoire:

• Effortless Batch Baking for a Crowd: Forget spending hours making individual cookies! This recipe is designed to yield an impressive 48 cookie bars from a single half sheet pan. This makes them incredibly efficient for feeding large groups, whether it’s a lively potluck, an elegant party, or a festive holiday celebration. You’ll have plenty to share and still have some left for yourself!
• The Crisco Difference: Superior Texture and Ease: Our Almond Bars shine thanks to the inclusion of Crisco® Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks. Unlike butter, which often requires softening to room temperature, Crisco is ready to use straight from the package, streamlining your baking prep. Its distinctive high melting point is crucial for an even bake, ensuring each bar boasts a remarkably tender, light, and delicate crumb. Furthermore, Crisco contains 50% less saturated fat than butter, offering a delicious alternative without compromising on flavor or texture.
• Convenience of Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly: Planning ahead for a busy week or a special event is a breeze with these almond bars. They are exceptionally freezer-friendly, allowing you to bake a large batch in advance and store them for future enjoyment. Simply thaw them at room temperature, and they’ll be as fresh and delicious as the day they were baked. This versatility makes them an ideal choice for hassle-free entertaining or unexpected guests.
• Irresistible Almond Flavor Profile: For almond enthusiasts, these bars are a dream come true. They feature a generous infusion of pure almond extract in both the tender cookie base and the sweet, smooth glaze, ensuring a rich, pervasive almond aroma and taste. Complemented by crunchy sliced almonds scattered across the top, this dessert offers a delightful textural contrast and an elegant finish that will captivate any palate.

The Enchanting Story of Almond Bars

While almonds frequently find their perfect partners in complementary flavors like poppy seeds or coconut, their inherent sweetness and distinct aroma allow them to truly shine as a standalone star. These Almond Bars are a testament to that versatility, embracing the pure, unadulterated essence of almond from the very first bite to the last delightful crumb. The magic begins with a tender cookie base, generously flavored with pure almond extract, creating a deep, aromatic foundation. This is beautifully echoed in the sweet, delicate glaze that cascades over the top, intensifying the almond experience. To complete this symphony of textures and tastes, a scattering of crisp, sliced almonds adds a delightful crunch and an elegant visual appeal, transforming a simple bar into a sophisticated dessert.

The resulting texture is nothing short of extraordinary—a delightful hybrid that marries the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of traditional shortbread with the satisfying chewiness of a classic sugar cookie. This unique combination ensures each bar is both crisp and yielding, providing a truly gratifying eating experience.

To achieve this unparalleled texture and flavor, I turned to Crisco® Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks. Its inherent buttery flavor seamlessly integrates into the dough, while its high melting point is the secret weapon for an exceptionally even bake. This means your Almond Bars will consistently emerge from the oven perfectly golden and uniformly tender, without the risk of uneven cooking. A true convenience, the dough requires no chilling, which significantly cuts down on preparation time, getting you to the delicious results faster.

For many, Crisco isn’t just an ingredient; it’s a staple, a cherished memory from childhood kitchens filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods. Growing up, I experienced firsthand how Crisco consistently delivers light and tender desserts, making it an indispensable part of my baking adventures. Beyond its convenience and superior texture, Crisco boasts 50% less saturated fat than butter, making it a thoughtful choice for those mindful of their diet. I personally swear by Crisco for creating the flakiest pie crusts and the fluffiest frosting, elevating everything from a simple cake to my indulgent Cookies and Cream Brownies.

Given the generous yield of this recipe, I found immense joy in sharing these Almond Bars with my wonderful neighbors and friends. The response was universally enthusiastic! One neighbor’s text perfectly encapsulated their delight: “I don’t know what these treats you brought me are, but they are freaking amazing!” Such feedback truly highlights the irresistible charm of these bars. Now, allow me to guide you through the simple steps to create this extraordinary dessert in your own kitchen.

Essential Ingredients for Your Almond Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational building block of our bars, providing essential structure. For accurate baking, always remember to stir your flour, then spoon it lightly into your measuring cup, and finally level it off with a straight edge. Alternatively, for the most precise results, use a kitchen scale to weigh your flour.
• Clabber Girl® Baking Powder: This leavening agent is key to achieving a light and soft crumb, ensuring your almond bars aren’t too dense but perfectly airy.
• Salt: A crucial ingredient that doesn’t just add salinity but beautifully balances and enhances all the other sweet flavors in the bars, preventing them from being cloyingly sweet.
• Crisco® Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks: The star ingredient for texture! One baking stick conveniently equals one cup, precisely what this recipe calls for. Crisco contributes to the bars’ tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality and ensures an even bake. Its butter flavor adds depth without the saturated fat content of traditional butter.
• Granulated Sugar: Providing the primary sweetness for the cookie base, ensuring our almond bars are delightfully palatable.
• Eggs: Acting as a binding agent, eggs bring all the ingredients together, adding crucial structure and richness to the dessert. Ideally, use large eggs at room temperature for better emulsion and a smoother batter.
• Pure Almond Extract: This is where the magic happens! Used in both the cookie base and the glaze, it infuses every part of the bar with that irresistible, fragrant almond flavor. Be sure to use pure extract for the best taste.
• Milk (Any Variety): A small amount is used to brush over the dough, helping the sliced almonds adhere beautifully before baking. It’s also essential for thinning the powdered sugar glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
• Sliced Almonds: These are not just for decoration; they provide a wonderful, delicate crunch that contrasts with the tender bar, elevating the textural experience.
• Powdered Sugar: The base for our sweet and smooth almond glaze. Its fine texture dissolves easily, creating a silky finish.
• Baker’s Joy® Non-Stick Baking Spray: An invaluable ally for ensuring your bars release cleanly and effortlessly from the pan after baking, guaranteeing perfect presentation every time.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Delicious Almond Bars

Follow these detailed instructions carefully to ensure your almond bars turn out perfectly tender, flavorful, and beautifully glazed.

1. Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to a precise 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160°C). This lower temperature is ideal for baking bars evenly without over-browning. Take your half sheet pan (approximately 18×13 inches or 45×33 cm) and thoroughly grease it with Baker’s Joy® Non-Stick Baking Spray. Ensure every corner and side is coated for easy removal. Set the prepared pan aside.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Clabber Girl® Baking Powder, and salt until they are well combined. This ensures the leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Set this bowl aside for later use.
3. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Crisco® Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening (remember, no need to soften!) and the granulated sugar. Using an electric hand mixer, beat these ingredients together on medium speed until they are thoroughly combined and take on a light, creamy consistency, usually about 2-3 minutes.

4. Add Eggs and Almond Extract: To the creamed shortening and sugar mixture, crack in the large eggs (ideally at room temperature) and add the pure almond extract. Continue beating with the electric mixer until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and cohesive. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well mixed.
5. Gradually Add Flour Mixture: With the mixer on low speed, add approximately half of the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until the flour is nearly incorporated and no large streaks of dry flour remain. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.

6. Finish Mixing the Dough: Add the remaining half of the flour mixture to the bowl. Mix again on low speed until just incorporated. The dough will be quite thick and firm at this point. If necessary, you can use your hands to gently fold in any last bits of flour to ensure a uniform dough. Remember, overworking the dough can lead to tough bars, so mix only until combined.
7. Press Dough into Pan: Transfer the thick almond bar dough into your prepared half sheet pan. Using your fingers or a small pastry roller, carefully and evenly spread the dough across the entire bottom of the pan. Aim for a consistent thickness to ensure even baking. Press firmly to create a smooth surface.

7. Add Topping: Using a pastry brush, lightly and evenly brush a tablespoon of milk (any variety works) over the entire surface of the pressed dough. This thin layer of milk will act as a natural adhesive. Generously sprinkle the sliced almonds over the milk-brushed dough, then gently press them down with your palm or a flat spatula to ensure they adhere well and don’t fall off after baking.

8. Bake the Bars: Place the pan in your preheated 325°F (160°C) oven and bake for 22-25 minutes. During baking, the dough will puff up noticeably and then gently settle back down. Keep a close eye on the edges; they should just begin to turn a very light golden brown. It’s crucial not to overbake, as this can make the bars dry. A slightly underbaked appearance is often ideal for tenderness.
9. Cut While Warm and Cool: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. While still warm, use a plastic (disposable) knife to cut the entire sheet into 48 uniform bars. Create 6 even rows along the longer (horizontal) side and 8 rows along the shorter (vertical) side, resulting in thin, elegant rectangles. (NOTE: The bars may still appear somewhat soft or underbaked, especially immediately after cutting. This is normal; they will firm up and finish setting as they cool completely.)

10. Transfer and Cool Completely: Very carefully, using a thin spatula, transfer each cut almond bar to a wire rack. Place this rack inside another sheet pan or over parchment paper to catch any excess glaze later. Arrange the bars with a little space between each to allow for even airflow and faster cooling. Let the bars cool completely to room temperature before proceeding with the glaze. This step is vital for the glaze to set properly.
11. Prepare and Glaze: Once the bars are entirely cooled, it’s time for the crowning touch! In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, almond extract, and 2-3 tablespoons of milk. Whisk thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, pourable glaze of your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, a touch more powdered sugar. Drizzle this delectable glaze generously over each cooled almond bar. Allow the glaze ample time to set and harden before serving or storing. This ensures a beautiful, non-sticky finish.

For even more inspiring recipes, expert baking tips, and to discover the full range of ways Crisco can elevate your cooking and baking, be sure to visit Crisco.com. Unlock your culinary potential with a trusted kitchen essential!