Dutch Letter Bars Recipe
Delight in these Dutch Letter Bars, bursting with rich, chewy almond flavor and a sweet, buttery crust. Perfect for dessert or a special snack, these bars combine almond paste and a tender cookie-like dough, topped with a sprinkle of sugar for a crisp golden finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 9-12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Dutch
Ingredients
Dough and Filling
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 8 oz almond paste
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Topping
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking pan with butter. If you prefer thinner bars, you can use a 9×13-inch pan instead.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature unsalted butter and 2 cups of granulated sugar. Beat them together for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a smooth base for the bars.
- Add Eggs and Almond Paste: Mix in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. After the eggs, blend in the almond paste thoroughly until the mixture is uniform.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined and no visible dry flour spots remain, taking care not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Transfer Dough and Add Topping: Spoon the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, spreading it all the way to the edges. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar evenly over the top to create a sweet, crunchy crust as it bakes.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake. If using the 9×9-inch pan, bake for about 45 minutes. For the 9×13-inch pan, bake for approximately 35 minutes. The bars are done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This cooling step helps the bars set and makes for cleaner cuts.
Notes
- You can use a larger pan (9×13-inch) for thinner bars, which shortens the baking time.
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Allow the bars to cool fully before slicing to avoid crumbling.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Almond paste can vary in sweetness; adjust sugar slightly if using a sweeter or less sweet brand.
Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/dutch-letter-bars-recipe/
