Strawberry Almond Bars

🧂 Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

  softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar

  packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour

  bleached flour toughens baked goods
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup premiere vanilla chips
• 1/2 cup pureed strawberries

  see note
• 1 cup strawberries

  diced
• 1 cup almonds

  sliced
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter

  softened
• 4 oz. pkg. cream cheese

  softened
• 5 oz. frozen strawberries in syrup

  thawed and pureed
• 1/4 tsp. strawberry extract
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 8 strawberries

  sliced or whole strawberries for garnish

Instructions

• 1 In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugars, eggs, vanilla, pureed strawberries,
  baking powder and salt with an electric mixer; mix well. 
• 2 Add flour, vanilla chips and almonds. 
• 3 Stir to combine.
• 4 Gently stir in strawberries.
• 5 Spread into greased 9x13” glass baking dish.
• 6 Bake at 350° for 45-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out
  clean. 
• 7 Cool before adding frosting. 
• 8 Beat butter and cream cheese with mixer until smooth and creamy.
• 9 Beat in 2 tablespoons of the pureed strawberries and the strawberry extract.
• 10 Gradually add in the powdered sugar and beat until you reach the desired
  consistency.
• 11 Frost bars.
• 12 Refrigerate.
• 13 Garnish with fresh strawberry slices, or whole strawberries, before serving, as
  desired.

Nutrition Info