Fudgy Almond Bars

I’m not sure where I got the cookbook that this recipe is from. It’s full of recipes from different companies. I’ve had the book for years, and with the chocolate-splattered end pages, you can immediately tell that it’s a book that I’ve used many times.

I had made this recipe before, but I hadn’t remembered how they turned out. I happened to have all the ingredients on hand, which I was a little surprised since I don’t typically use sweetened condensed milk. I have a few recipes that use the stuff and they are usually so sweet that I can hardly stand it. (And believe me, it has to be pretty sweet to be too sweet for me!)

These have a simple shortbread crust topped with an almond fudgy filling. They came together really quickly and looked great when they were finished baking. I forgot to add the ½ cup of hot water to the filling that the recipe called for, and maybe that made a difference. The filling didn’t seem too dry.

As soon as I started cutting the bars, I remembered that they hadn’t turned out that well last time. The shortbread crust doesn’t stay together, it just crumbles apart. Also the fudge part separated from the crust with the slightest of touch. They still taste good!

¾ cup + 1/3 cup butter, softened

¾ cup powdered sugar

1-1/2 cups flour

½ cup cocoa powder

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1-1/4 cups sliced almonds, toasted

2 eggs, beaten

½ teaspoon almond extract

Pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine ¾ cup butter and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth. Add in the flour, stir until completely combined. Press the dough into an ungreased 9” x 13” pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

While the crust is baking, melt the 1/3 cup butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Once the butter is melted, stir in the cocoa. Remove from the heat and stir in the sweetened condensed milk, almonds, eggs, almond extract and salt. Spread over baked crust.

Bake for 25 minutes or until set in the center. Chill thoroughly and then cut into bars.

Recipe from Favorite Brand Name Cookie Collection