How to Make Toasted & Sweet Almond Dessert Bars at Home

Almond dessert bars have a buttery shortbread base, a chewy almond filling, and a toasty top that adds the perfect crunch.

The scent of toasted almonds while baking? That alone is worth turning on the oven.

To make them, you’ll start with a simple flour-butter-sugar base pressed into a pan.

Then, a filling made with eggs, brown sugar, almond extract, and sliced almonds is poured on top and baked until golden.

I prefer to lightly toast the almonds first—it brings out their natural sweetness and gives the bars a richer flavor and better texture.

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Recipe Overview

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Ingredients

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Tools You’ll Need (with Alternatives in Brackets)

• 8×8 inch baking pan (or 9×9 inch pan)
• Mixing bowls (or any deep container)
• Hand or stand mixer (or whisk and elbow grease)
• Measuring cups/spoons (or digital kitchen scale)
• Rubber spatula (or wooden spoon)
• Parchment paper (or greased foil)
• Skillet (for toasting almonds, or use oven tray)

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How to Make Almond Dessert Bars

These bars come together with a shortbread-style base and a rich almond filling that bakes into a soft yet slightly crunchy layer.

Let’s walk through the full process.

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Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Pan

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking pan with parchment paper so the bars lift out easily after cooling.

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Step 2: Make the Crust

In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the flour gradually until the dough is crumbly but holds together when pressed.

Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of your pan. Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until lightly golden at the edges. Set aside to cool slightly while you prep the filling.

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Step 3: Toast the Almonds

While the crust bakes, place sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for 3–5 minutes, until they’re lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool.

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Step 4: Prepare the Filling

In a bowl, beat the eggs, brown sugar, and almond extract until smooth. Stir in the toasted almonds.

This creates a gooey almond mixture that will set up nicely over the crust.

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Step 5: Pour and Bake

Pour the filling evenly over the slightly cooled crust. Spread gently with a spatula if needed. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is firm and lightly golden.

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Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Lift using parchment and transfer to a board to slice cleanly into squares or rectangles. Serve warm or fully cooled.

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Decoration & Serving Tips

• Dust with powdered sugar for a soft finish
• Drizzle with honey or maple syrup before serving
• Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
• Pair with tea or a light roast coffee

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Variations to Try

• Almond-Coconut Bars: Add ¼ cup shredded coconut to the filling
• Chocolate Almond: Mix in ¼ cup mini chocolate chips to the almond layer
• Lemon Almond: Add 1 tsp lemon zest for a bright twist
• Cranberry Almond: Add chopped dried cranberries to the filling

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Storing Tips

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
• Refrigerate for 5–6 days for a firmer texture
• Freeze for up to 2 months, layered between parchment sheets

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Extra Tips

• Toasting almonds enhances flavor—don’t skip this step
• Let the crust cool slightly before adding filling to keep layers distinct
• Use parchment to avoid sticking and for easy slicing
• A serrated knife works best for clean edges

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Common Mistakes & Fixes

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Let’s Bake and Enjoy Almond Dessert Bars Together

These almond dessert bars are cozy, nutty, and satisfyingly sweet—perfect for any gathering or afternoon treat.

Give them a try and let me know how yours turned out!