Almond Bars

I make these every Christmas for the cookie tray that I always have well stocked for our family's annual Christmas party. This is such a simple recipe with a few common ingredients that most people always have on hand in their kitchen pantry. And it produces such a wonderful bar cookie with a delectible almond taste. It's the perfect treat for any cookie exchange or potluck gathering.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 36
• Yields: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 4  eggs
• 2  cups sugar
• 1  cup butter, melted (no substitutes)
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons  almond extract
• 1  cup  cups  sliced almonds (increase or decrease as desired)
• 1⁄2 cup confectioners' sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Beat together the eggs and sugar until lemon-colored. Add the butter, flour, and almond extract; mix well.
2. Spread the batter in an even layer on a buttered 13x9-inch baking pan. Sprinkle the top of the batter with sliced amonds if you wish; otherwise leave the top as is.
3. Bake at 325° for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Remove pan from the oven and dust the top with a light sprinkling of confectioner's sugar, if you wish. Leave cookies in the pan to cool completely.
5. When cooled, cut into bars. (I usually cut 9 vertical rows and 4 horizontal rows, to get 36 bar cookies.).