Raspberry Bars

I LOVE raspberry bars. They have some delicious ones at Pret a Manger and I wanted to make some of my own. I was so excited when I found this recipe in a Taste of Home magazine. I altered it slightly by adding more nuts to the top, which I think added a good extra crunch, instead of the confectioners' sugar that the original recipe called for.

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups of butter (a little less than three sticks), softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp grated lemon peel

2 1/4 cups ground almonds

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 cup seedless raspberry preserves

 

Cream butter and sugar in large bowl. Beat in egg and lemon peel.

In another bowl, mix flour, 2 cups ground almonds and cinnamon.

Gradually beat dry mixture into creamed mixture.

Press 2 cups of the dough into bottom of greased 13X9 pan.

Spread on raspberry preserves.

Crumble remaining dough onto preserves. (It is a bit wet to "crumble" so I just dropped pinchfuls). Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup or so ground almonds over top.

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until light brown.

Cool and cut into bars. Enjoy!