Oma's Scandinavian Almond Bars (Mandelgebäck)
Almond bar cookies, Mandelgebäck, look absolutely scrumptious & taste divine drizzled with chocolate! Full of wonderful almond flavor, which Germans love. A Christmas MUST for our family!
- Prep time
- 25 min
- Cook time
- 12 min
- Yield
- 48 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- ½ cup (114 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon (3 ml) almond extract
- 1¾ cups (228 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons (8 g) baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.5 g) salt
- About ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
- ½ cup (50 g) sliced almonds
- 1 cup (170 g) bittersweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line two 11x17-inch cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- 2
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Beat in egg and almond extract until light and fluffy.
- 3
In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- 4
Add flour mixture to butter mixture and beat until well mixed.
- 5
Divide cookie dough into four portions. Form each into a roll about 12 inches long.
- 6
Put two rolls about 4 to 5 inches apart on one cookie sheet and flatten rolls with fingers to about 3 inches wide. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- 7
Using a pastry brush or rubber spatula, brush just enough milk to cover all the dough, then sprinkle almonds on top.
- 8
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are just slightly browned.
- 9
Remove from oven and immediately cut into 1-inch diagonal strips by carefully cutting down with a knife. Do not saw back and forth or the delicate cookie bars will break.
- 10
Let cool for about 5 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- 11
Put chocolate chips into a small bowl and melt in the microwave, or melt in a small saucepan over low heat. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars.