Scandinavian Almond Bars

In the time it takes to preheat the oven, these cookies are ready to bake! Easy, yummy and very Scandinavian!






Scandinavian Almond Bars 
Cookie Dough
1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
Milk
1/2 cup sliced almonds (I had whole almonds on hand so I sliced them in the food processor)

Icing:
1  cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3 to 4 teaspoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
   
3. Add the egg and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; beat well to incorporate.
   
   
   
   
4. Add flour, salt and baking powder and then mix until a dough forms.
   
5. Round dough into a ball and then cut into 4 equal portions.
   
6. Form each portion into a 12" roll.
   
7. Transfer rolls to 2 ungreased cookie sheets (I lined mine with a silicon mat) -- arrange about 4" apart.
8. Flatten each roll until it is about 3" wide. 
9. Brush each flattened roll with milk and sprinkle with almonds.

   

   After rolls were arranged on cookie sheets and then flattened, they were brushed with milk.

10. Bake in 325° oven for 12 to 18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
    
11. While cookies bake, mix up icing.

    

    I mixed up the icing in a food processor, but a mixer works, too. Or, simply mix by hand.

12. When cookies are lightly browned, remove from oven and set on a cooling rack.
    While still warm, cut crosswise into approximately 1 to 1 1/2" strips.
    
13. Cool completely and then drizzle with icing.
    

Recipe without photos . . .
Scandinavian Almond Bars 
Cookie Dough
1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
Milk
1/2 cup sliced almonds (I had whole almonds on hand so I sliced them in the food processor)

Icing:
1  cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3 to 4 teaspoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Add the egg and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; beat well to incorporate.
4. Add flour, salt and baking powder and then mix until a dough forms.
5. Round dough into a ball and then cut into 4 equal portions.
6. Form each portion into a 12" roll.
7. Transfer rolls to 2 ungreased cookie sheets (I lined mine with a silicon mat) -- arrange about 4" apart.
8. Flatten each roll until it is about 3" wide. 
9. Brush each flattened roll with milk and sprinkle with almonds.
10. Bake in 325° oven for 12 to 18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
11. While cookies bake, mix up icing.
12. When cookies are lightly browned, remove from oven and set on a cooling rack. While still warm, cut crosswise into approximately 1 to 1 1/2" strips.
13. Cool completely and then drizzle with icing.