Scandinavian Almond Bars

Baking and sharing cookies is a wonderful way to show how thankful we are for the special people in our lives. These last two weeks the kids and I have been busy baking cookies to share with people we love. 

It’s an honor to be participating in Cookies Across America. What is Cookies Across America? Launched last year, the campaign inspires our community of home cooks to give back to their local communities by baking and sharing cookies. This year, Allrecipes partnered with Nestle Toll House and is asking home bakers across the nation to take the pledge to bake and share cookies with those less fortunate in their communities.

 

Allrecipes shared with me these fun cookie facts:

• Allrecipes members viewed 31 million cookie recipes in December 2010, a 21% increase from 2009.
• · The weekend before Christmas, December 18^th and 19^th, 2010 marked the busiest days for viewing cookie recipes
• · 96% of home cooks believe sharing holiday cookies is a good way to show they care
• · Top recipients for holiday cookies include friends and family, co-workers, troops, first responders, church groups, and the postman.
• · Sugar cookies are the #1 holiday cookie type. Classics such as chocolate chip, peanut butter and gingerbread also fall into the top 10 cookie recipes.

Community members of Allrecipes and Nestlé USA have pledged to bake more than 13,848 cookies so far this holiday season.  Visit the Facebook page and YOU can take the pledge to bake for Cookies Across America.

Taste of Home was kind enough to send me their gorgeous Taste of Home Cookies magazine. Filled with amazing cookies, it was not easy choosing the first cookie to bake from it.

I fell in love with the Scandinavian Almond Bars and couldn’t wait to bake them. Sort of like a biscotti, these cookies are crisp and rich with a delicate almond flavor. The light crunch from the almond slivers and the soft, sweet sugar drizzle…this is a cookie we will be making every Christmas.

Scandinavian Almond Bars

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon 2% milk (I used almond milk:)

1/2 cup sliced almonds, chopped


ICING:

1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions
In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy.

Beat in egg and extract. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Divide dough into fourths; form into 12-in. x 3-in. rectangles. Place 5 in. apart on greased baking sheets.


Brush with milk.

Sprinkle with almonds.

Bake at 325° for 18-20 minutes or until firm to the touch and edges are lightly browned. Cool on pans for 5
minutes.

Cut diagonally into 1-in. slices. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

In a small bowl, combine the confectioner's sugar, extract and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over bars. 

Yield: about 4 dozen.

What special things do you do to share with your community during Christmas or throughout the year?:)