Dutch Almond Squares

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 35 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups tbsps granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 large eggs egg yolk
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup almond paste (marzipan)
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large egg whites
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 325°f.
• 2 in a large mixer bowl, cream the butter slightly, then gradually add 1/2 cup sugar and beat for 2 minutes.
• 3 beat in the egg and egg yolk, stir in the flour and 3/4 tsp of salt by hand.
• 4 spread the mixture into an ungreased glass 13x9-inch baking pan, making a smooth layer.
• 5 bake the crust for 15 minutes, until it is set but not brown.
• 6 in a food processor, mix together 1 cup of sugar, the almond paste, lemon juice, vanilla and the remaining 1/4 tsp salt; reserve.
• 7 in a large mixer bowl, beat the egg whites till frothy, then sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar over the whites and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
• 8 by hand, fold the almond paste mixture into the egg whites with a rubber spatula and spread over the baked crust.
• 9 sprinkle the almonds on top and bake the cookies for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
• 10 cool partially and cut the cookies while still warm into 48 narrow bars.
• 11 these freeze well.