Easy Christmas Cookie Recipe – Scandinavian Almond Bars

Ingredients

* 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup butter or margarine
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 egg
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
* milk
* 1/2 cup sliced almonds, coarsely chopped.

* Almond Icing – 1 cup sifted powdered sugar 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 3 to 4 teaspoons of milk (enough to make icing of drizzling consistency.)

Instructions

1. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt.
2. In a large mixer bowl beat butter or margarine till softened. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg and almond extract and beat well.
3. Add flour mixture and beat till well mixed.
4. Divide dough into fourths. Form each into a 12-inch roll.
5. Place two rolls 4 to 5 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Flatten till 3 inches wide. Repeat with remaining rolls.
7. Brush flattened rolls with milk and sprinkle with almonds.
8. Baked in a 325 degree oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
9. While cookies are still warm, cut them crosswise at a diagonal into 1″ inch strips. Cool. Drizzle with almond icing. Makes 48.

Quick Notes

This recipe is taken from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookies for Christmas Book. Copyright 1985. This unique recipe comes from one of the BHG’s editor’s Norwegian grandmother and became a favorite of many on staff at BHG. The recipe is so easy, and yummy! I’ve made these for years!

Variations

I like to use vanilla extract instead of almond extract for both the dough and icing recipes. I have also made the cookies without the almonds.

Cooking time (duration): 12-14 min. (325 degrees)

Culinary tradition: Scandinavian

My rating: 5 stars:  ★★★★★ (but of course!)

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