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Three Orange Almond Cookie Bars on a blue surface with more in the background.
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Orange Almond Cookie Bars

A recipe for Orange Almond Cookie Bars! These crisp and chewy cookies have a fragrant blend of flavors with orange, cardamom, and almond.
Course Dessert
Cuisine N/A
Keyword almond, cardamom, cookie, cookie bar, orange
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 30 -35 Bars

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:

  • Milk
  • Sliced Almonds

Glaze:

  • 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 milliliters) freshly squeezed orange juice

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325˚F (163˚C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
  • In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in the egg, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to evenly mix, followed by the orange zest and almond extract.
  • Mix in the flour, baking powder, cardamom, and salt until just combined and a smooth dough forms.
  • Divide the dough into 2 equal portions.
  • Roll each piece into a rope about 14 inches (35.5 centimeters) long.
  • Place the ropes lengthwise on the parchment-lined baking sheet at least 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) apart and lightly flatten until they are each about 2 1/2 inches (6 centimeters) wide.
  • Brush the tops with milk and sprinkle heavily with the sliced almonds.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the cookies spread and are lightly browned around the edges, 20-22 minutes.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
  • After 5 minutes, while still warm, use a sharp knife to cut one of the sheets into individual cookie bars slightly on the diagonal about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) wide. Repeat with the other sheet and transfer the bars to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
  • In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and almond extract. Whisk in the orange juice until smooth and thin enough to drizzle.
  • Drizzle the glaze on cooled cookie bars.
  • Allow to set briefly before serving.