ALMOND SPICE BARS

Almond Spice Bars image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 2h45m

Yield about 24

Number Of Ingredients 17

Cooking spray
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
1/4 cup finely chopped candied orange peel, plus more for topping
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

Steps:

Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang; coat with cooking spray. Bring the honey and granulated sugar to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg; let cool slightly, 10 minutes.
Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Quickly stir the beaten egg into the honey-sugar mixture with a rubber spatula, then add the almonds, orange peel, vanilla, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon liqueur. Stir in the flour mixture until combined (the dough will be stiff and dry). Scrape into the prepared pan. Lightly coat a piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray and use to press the dough into an even layer. Set aside 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the bars until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few crumbs, 25 to 30 minutes.
Make the glaze: Whisk the confectioners' sugar, orange juice and remaining 1 tablespoon
liqueur in a bowl until smooth. Brush the warm bars with some of the glaze; cover the remaining glaze and set aside. Let the bars cool 10 minutes in the pan, then remove to a cutting board. Cut into 1-by-2 1/2-inch bars and let cool completely on a rack.
Drizzle the bars with the remaining glaze; top with candied orange peel.