Shelly's Recipe

APRICOT ALMOND BARS

Category: Bars

Crust
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, chilled, cut up
1/4 cup water

Filling
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter, cut up
1 cup flour
2 eggs, room temperature
2 tsp almond extract

Topping
1/2 cup apricot jam, warmed
1/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 to 2 1/2 tsp milk
1/4 tsp almond extract

Heat oven to 350. Lightly grease 13x9 inch pan. Place 1 cup flour in medium bowl. With pastry blender or two knives, cut in 1/2 cup butter until it is the size of peas. Add 1/4 cup water; mix until dough forms. Flatten dough into a disk. Press dough evenly in bottom of pan. Cover; refrigerate 30 minutes.

In medium saucepan over medium heat, bring 1 cup water and 1/2 cup butter to a boil. Pour boiling mixture into large bowl. Add 1 cup flour; beat at medium speed until smooth and flour is absorbed. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 2 tsp almond extract. Spread batter over dough in pan, covering completely. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until deep golden brown. Remove from oven. Spread with apricot jam; sprinkle with almonds. Cool on wire rack.

Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine powdered sugar, milk and 1/4 tsp almond extract; mix until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bars. 36 bars