Almond-Date Blondies
 
 
by:
Serves: Makes 16 bars
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup almond flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • ½ cup natural almond butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • ¾ cup old-fashion rolled oats
  • ¾ cup slivered roasted almonds, divided
  • ¾ cup finely diced dried dates or apricots
Instructions
  1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan; line with heavy-duty foil, leaving an overhang on two sides to facilitate removal of bars from pan, and then grease the foil.
  2. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  3. Using a hand mixer, beat butter and almond butter until fluffy. Add brown sugar; beat until smooth. Add egg and almond extract; continue to beat until incorporated. Stir in dry ingredients until blended. Mix in oatmeal, ½ cup almonds, and dates. Press dough into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup almonds; press them into dough to adhere. Bake until firm and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool a few minutes to firm up Pull bars from pan and continue to cool on a wire rack. Peel foil off blondies, cut into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
Almond butter may be found next to the jams and jellies in some supermarkets. Otherwise, you can make it by grinding together 1 cup roasted almonds and ⅛ teaspoon salt in a food processor or blender, then adding 3 tablespoons almond or vegetable oil in a slow, steady stream, and blending until the mixture comes together. This recipe makes ¾ cup.
To roast almonds, place them in a preheated 350°F. oven on a baking sheet for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until light brown.
Recipe by Three Many Cooks at https://threemanycooks.com/recipes/sweet-treats/almond-date-blondies/