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- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature - 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted - 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract - 1 cup raspberry preserves (or jam) - 1/2 cup sliced almonds Each ingredient plays a key role. The butter gives the bars a rich flavor. The powdered sugar adds sweetness and softness. The flour forms the structure, while salt enhances all the flavors. Almond extract adds a lovely nutty note. Finally, raspberry preserves bring a fruity burst. Sliced almonds add crunch and visual appeal. For the best results, I suggest using high-quality brands. For butter, choose brands like Kerrygold or Land O'Lakes. They have rich flavors. For powdered sugar, Domino or 10X is a great choice. For flour, King Arthur Flour is often preferred. It gives consistent results. For raspberry preserves, Smucker’s or Bonne Maman offers great taste and quality. Trust me; these choices will elevate your shortbread bars! First, gather your ingredients. You will need: - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted - 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract - 1 cup raspberry preserves - 1/2 cup sliced almonds Next, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish. You can grease it lightly or line it with parchment paper. This makes removing the bars easy later. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar with an electric mixer. Mix for about 3 to 5 minutes. You want the mixture to be light and fluffy. Then, gradually add in the sifted flour, salt, and almond extract. Mix gently until the dough is soft and comes together. Take about 1 cup of the dough and set it aside. Press the remaining dough into the bottom of your prepared dish. Make sure it is even and covers the bottom well. Now, spread the raspberry preserves over the dough base. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon. Get it into all corners to ensure each bite has flavor. Crumble the reserved dough over the raspberry layer. Distribute it evenly. This creates a nice texture on top. Next, sprinkle the sliced almonds on top of the crumbled dough. This adds a crunchy finish. Place the baking dish in your preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The edges should turn lightly golden. The center should feel set when touched. Once baked, take the bars out of the oven. Allow them to cool completely in the dish on a wire rack. After they cool, slice them into 16 squares for serving. For a lovely touch, lightly dust the cooled bars with powdered sugar. You can serve them on a decorative plate. For an extra pop of color, garnish the plate with fresh raspberries or mint leaves. Enjoy your delicious Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars! To make perfect Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars, start with room-temperature butter. This helps it mix well with the sugar. Cream the butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. It should look pale and light. Sift your flour and salt to avoid lumps. When mixing, go slow. You want a soft dough, not a dry one. Press the dough firmly into the pan for a solid base. Spread the raspberry preserves evenly for the best taste. One common mistake is overmixing the dough. This can make the bars tough. Don’t skip sifting the flour and sugar. It helps keep the texture smooth. Make sure to bake the bars until the edges are golden. If you take them out too soon, they may fall apart. Also, let the bars cool completely before slicing. This helps the layers hold together. For a lovely presentation, dust the cooled bars with powdered sugar. This adds a sweet touch. Serve them on a pretty plate for extra flair. You can also add fresh raspberries or mint leaves around the bars. This makes the dish pop with color. Arrange the bars in neat squares for a clean look. A great presentation can make the bars even more appealing! {{image_4}} You can swap some ingredients in this recipe. For a lighter bar, use coconut oil instead of butter. You can also try using granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar. If you want a nut-free option, replace almond extract with vanilla extract. To add more flavor, try mixing in lemon zest or orange zest. A dash of cinnamon can also enhance the taste. You might want to add some chopped fresh raspberries for extra fruitiness. If you like chocolate, sprinkle some mini chocolate chips on top before baking. Making these bars gluten-free is easy. Use almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend. For a vegan version, swap butter for vegan butter and use maple syrup instead of powdered sugar. Be sure to check your raspberry preserves for any animal products. This way, you can enjoy these tasty bars, no matter your diet! To keep your Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. This will help maintain their taste and texture. You can place parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. If you have a lot of bars, cut them into squares before storing. This makes it easy to grab one when you want a treat. Freezing these bars is a great way to save them for later. First, let the bars cool completely. Then, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. After that, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just take them out and let them thaw at room temperature. When stored correctly, Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars last about one week in the fridge. If you want to reheat them, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bars on a baking sheet and warm them for about 5-10 minutes. This will refresh their flavor and make them nice and soft again. Enjoy! You can tell when the bars are done by looking at the edges. They should turn a light golden color. Gently press the center with your finger. If it feels set and springs back, the bars are ready. I usually bake them for 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they bake. Every oven is a bit different. Yes, you can use different fruit preserves! Feel free to try apricot, strawberry, or even blueberry. Just make sure to choose a thick preserve. Thinner jams can make the bars soggy. Each fruit will give a unique flavor to the bars. Experiment to find your favorite! Absolutely! These bars are perfect for making ahead of time. You can bake them a day or two in advance. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, try freezing them. They freeze well for up to three months. Just let them thaw before serving. In this blog post, I covered everything you need for Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars. We discussed the best ingredients, precise measurements, and recommended brands. I shared step-by-step baking instructions, along with cooling and serving tips. You learned useful baking tricks and how to avoid common mistakes. We explored tasty variations to match your diet. Finally, I provided storage tips for keeping your bars fresh. Now you have the tools to bake these delicious bars. Enjoy the process and share your tasty results!

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars

Indulge in the sweet delight of Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars, a perfect treat for any occasion! With a buttery crust, luscious raspberry preserves, and a crunchy almond topping, these bars are simple to make and bursting with flavor. Whether for a casual snack or a special dessert, these bars are sure to impress.
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Ingredients
  

1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature

3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup raspberry preserves (or jam)

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal later.

    In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar. Continue mixing until the mixture turns light, fluffy, and pale in color (about 3-5 minutes).

      Gradually add the sifted flour, salt, and almond extract into the butter mixture. Mix gently until a soft, cohesive dough forms.

        Take approximately 1 cup of the dough and set it aside for later use. Press the remaining dough firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer to serve as the base for the bars.

          Evenly spread the raspberry preserves over the dough base using a spatula or the back of a spoon, making sure to reach all corners and edges for maximum flavor.

            Crumble the reserved dough over the raspberry preserves. Distribute it evenly to create a nice textured topping.

              Sprinkle the sliced almonds atop the crumbled dough, ensuring an even spread for garnish and added crunch.

                Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden, and the center should feel set to the touch.

                  Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice into 16 squares for serving.

                    Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 16 bars

                      - Presentation Tips: Lightly dust the cooled bars with a sprinkle of powdered sugar to enhance their sweetness, and serve them on a decorative plate. For a beautiful touch, garnish the plate with fresh raspberries or mint leaves.