Good morning! Can you believe that its almost July and that the year is already half over? Where does the time go? This week is the 4th of July and I cannot wait. The fireworks, barbecues, time at the ocean and with family and friends is what summer is all about.
Family, fun and food that is my summer motto. This week we are having guests and hosting several get togethers, the perfect opportunity for my to try out some new desserts. After all, in my world a party is only as good as the desserts!
These bars are fabulous! I think they might be the best dessert that I have made this year. The crust is basically a shortbread cookie, sweet, crunchy and buttery. And the filling is an easy, creamy, smooth, almond cheesecake. Add the frosting and the toasted almonds and you have a delicious dessert for any barbecue or party.
Almond Cheesecake Bars
Recipe from Taste of Home
Crust:
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup softened butter
Preheat oven to 350. In a mixer with a paddle attachment add all ingredients for crust and mix until just combined. Then pat the dough into an un-greased 13 x 9 pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, but begin to check after 15 minutes. The crust should be light brown.
Filling:
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream the cream cheese and the sugar together until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs and almond and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Pour the filling over the hot crust and back for 15-20 minutes. The filling should be set in the middle. Remove from oven and cool on a rack.
Frosting:
11/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
11/2 teaspoon milk or heavy cream
1 teaspoon almond extract
Toasted almonds for garnish
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. The pour over the cooled bars and smooth. Garnish with toasted almond slices.
As I said, they cannot get any easier. I hope that you try them or one of my other almond recipes that I have made lately. I seem to be on an almond kick this summer.
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| Swedish Almond Cake |
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| raspberry Almond Struessel Cake |
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| Buttery Almond Braid |
Have a great week!
Linking to:
Friday Favorites
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup with Kale
Double Chocolate Chunk Muffins
Decorating with Herbs & Flowers
Good morning Elizabeth! I too can't believe that June is almost OVER! But we spent 10 days of it in paradise, so I just need to remember the fun and wonderment we had before SCHOOL starts again in August!
You enjoy yourself for the fourth…any big plans? These bars look out of this world! Anita
Yummy! They all look delicious.
Seriously…I want to make them ALL! My first round of guests arrive on Friday…I want to make one of these in advance. To be honest, they don't really eat sweets, so I am using their coming as an excuse to make it for myself! 😉
Have a fabulous week, Elizabeth!!! xoxo
These all look delicious. And yes, I wholeheartedly agree- a party is only as good as its desserts!
I really like your idea….:)
Elizabeth,
These look soooo good, so I am going to feature them at my party this week. Thank you for sharing them at Show and Share!!!
Blessings,
Linda