Bonket (Dutch Almond Pastry)

This is a recipe I got from a Dutch friend who made this once when we were having coffee. I begged for the recipe and she graciously shared it with me! It's so good! Enjoy!

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 24-36 bars

Ingredients

• Crust

• 3⁄4 cup butter
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1  egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1⁄4 cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• Almond Layer

• 2  eggs
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon  almond flavoring
• 3⁄4 cup  pure almond paste, cut into very small pieces
• 1  pinch salt
• 2  tablespoons butter, melted
• 1⁄2 cup pecans (or more if desired) or 1⁄2 cup walnuts, chopped (or more if desired)

• Topping

• 1⁄4 cup powdered sugar
• 1  pinch salt
•  water, to thin

Directions

1. Crust:
2. Cream butter and sugar; stir in egg and vanilla.
3. Add flour and salt.
4. Press into 9x13" pan.
5. Almond Layer:
6. Beat eggs with sugar; add butter, almond paste and flavoring.
7. Mix until as smooth as possible. (Almond paste is difficult to break down.).
8. Pour over bottom layer.
9. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
10. Bake about 25 minutes at 325 until firm and slightly browned.
11. Topping:
12. Sift sugar and mix in salt.
13. Add just enough water to thin to a pourable consistency.
14. Drizzle topping over bonket while still hot.
15. Cool completely before cutting into squares.