"Guiltless" Raspberry Almond Bars

My sweet tooth just won out!  The great part of  living an active lifestyle and eating healthy balanced meals (most of the time) is the lack of guilt over treats!!!  We are having a lunch meeting at work tomorrow and I had an idea to mash a couple of recipes together. Here is the results.  I hope you enjoy them as much as my husband and I did!

Raspberry Almond Bars

Raspberry Almond Bars

Bottom layer:
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour

1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

Top layer:
1/4 cup butter
1 cup white chips
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Cream together 1 cup butter and 1/2 cup sugar.  Add 2 cups flour and mix until well combined. Pat evenly in a 13 X 9 inch pan. (Greased and floured or lined with parchment paper.)



Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until slightly browned on the edges.





While the crust is baking prepare the top layer.  In a saucepan melt 1/4 cup of butter, remove from heat and add 1/2 cup of the chips (do not stir.) Set aside.

In a mixer beat the egg until until foamy;  gradually add sugar.  Stir in chip mixture and almond extract.


Combine flour and salt and add to egg mixture.  Fold in 1/2 cup of chips. 

In a small microwave safe bowl, heat jam for 30 seconds or until melted. Spread over warm crust.

 Drop batter by teaspoonful on top of the jam.  If desired, sprinkle with a few additional chips and 1/4 cup sliced almonds.


Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
Cool, cut and serve!