Description
These Perfect Scandinavian Almond Bars are a delightful sweet treat featuring a buttery almond-flavored dough topped with crunchy almond slices. With a tender texture and a beautiful golden crust, they are ideal for enjoying with coffee or tea. Simple to prepare and baked to perfection, these bars bring a classic Scandinavian flavor to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Dough
- 7 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp light syrup (or 1 tbsp maple syrup + 1 tbsp honey)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla (vanilla sugar or extract)
- 3.5 oz almond paste
- 1 egg (optional for brushing)
Topping
- 1/4 cup almond slices
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with baking paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar using a wooden spoon or electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Then add the light syrup and mix thoroughly to combine.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and vanilla into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until the dough begins to come together but is not fully combined.
- Add Almond Paste: Grate or finely chop the almond paste and add it to the dough. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or your hands until you form a large, cohesive dough ball.
- Shape Dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts and roll each half into a long sausage shape. Place the two sausages on the prepared baking sheet with enough space between them. Lightly press down the dough with your fingers to flatten slightly.
- Egg Wash (Optional): If desired, whisk the egg and brush it evenly over the dough sausages to help achieve a shiny, golden surface after baking.
- Add Almond Slices and Bake: Sprinkle almond slices generously over the dough. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the bars turn a beautiful golden brown color.
- Cool and Slice: Let the baked dough cool for a couple of minutes on the baking sheet. Then, slice diagonally into approximately 24 almond bars and allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute light syrup with a mixture of maple syrup and honey as indicated.
- Using the egg wash is optional but helps achieve a shiny, more visually appealing surface.
- Almond paste can be grated for easier incorporation or finely chopped if grating isn’t possible.
- Store the almond bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
- These bars are perfect for serving alongside coffee or tea for an authentic Scandinavian experience.
