apricot almond bars

How To Make apricot almond bars

• 1

  Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, extending the foil over the long sides of the pan. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• 2

  Combine the flour, confectioner's sugar and butter in a large bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into the baking pan, pressing about 1/2 inch up the sides. Bake 15-20 minutes or until the edges begin to brown.
• 3

  While the crust is baking, toast the almonds. Place the almonds on a small baking dish and bake about 8 minutes (watch carefully). Beat egg whites with a whisk until foamy. Beat in the confectioner's sugar and almond extract.
• 4

  Spread the apricot preserves over the crust. Spoon the egg white mixture over the preserves without covering the preserves completely. Sprinkle with almonds.
• 5

  Bake 15-18 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Run a metal spatula along the short sides of the pan to loosen the pastry. Cool completely on a wire cooling rack. Using the foil, life the pastry from the pan and cut into 24 bars. To cut diamonds, cut lengthwise into 6 strips. Make parallel diagonal cuts on each strip to form diamonds.
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