ALMOND AND STRAWBERRY JAM BARS

Almond and Strawberry Jam Bars image

Provided by Nancy Fuller

Categories dessert

Time 1h45m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup jam of your choice
1 tablespoon amaretto (you may also use another brandy or distilled spirit of your choice)
1/2 cup slivered almonds

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on 2 sides for gripping and removing the bars after baking.
Beat the butter, sugar, egg and egg yolk in a medium bowl with a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add the baking powder, salt and almond extract and mix on low. Slowly incorporate the flour just until the batter comes together. Press two-thirds of the batter onto the bottom of the pan, reserving the remaining batter.
Stir together the jam and amaretto in a small bowl. Spread the fruit mixture over the batter, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Mix the slivered almonds into the reserved batter and crumble it on top. It will not cover all the jam, but it will spread during cooking.
Bake the bars until the jam is bubbly and the topping turns golden brown, about 35 minutes. Cool the bars in the pan on a rack. Use the parchment to lift the whole thing from the pan and cut it into 12 squares.