Two words: Almond, Dutch.
Almond Bars baby! Not just any Almond Bars, my Grandma Den Beste’s Almond Bars. If ya can’t tell by the last name, my Grandma is Dutch – 100% Dutch. My mom is 100% Dutch so the whole Dutch thing runs in the family. My Grandparents were farmers and lived in Sibley Iowa. I lost my Grandpa at 91 years old and my Grandma is still kickin’ at 95. They lived a simple yet fulfilling life, worked hard, believed in God, and ate well. They never and I mean never, skipped out on sweets or coffee. Gee…I wonder why I drink coffee every morning and named my blog Stuck On Sweet?
So, if you’re Dutch that means you have to like sweets and anything almond. Oh! And you have to like tulips! It’s just part of the deal. Kind of like Italian’s and red wine. Ya get it? I served an entire almond wedding cake at my wedding – I didn’t have any other flavors. Need I say more?
My Grandma is 95 years old and until two weeks ago, I didn’t have any of her recipes. As a Dutch woman, living on a farm in a small town in Iowa, with two kiddos and hungry farmer husband, she learned how to cook and bake. And let me tell you, she learned well. Not only did she learn how to become a wonderful cook/baker, she developed a passion for it. She truly loved making a meal for her family and indulging a little too. 😉
Most of my memories from visiting my Grandparents are around the dinner table, eating sloppy joe’s, potato salad, and whatever delicious baked goods my Grandma decided to make for us. We would listen to my Grandpa tell stories and would ask him to say swear words in Dutch…which he happily did and then smile –Â we would giggle. hehehe.
That’s the good stuff my friends.
I’m not going to say much about the Almond Bars. I think they speak for themselves – I know they’re pretty tasty because I ate them. They’re sweet, almondy, and slightly tart. They remind me of her and that’s what’s most important about them. <3
These Almond Bars are for you Grandma Den Beste. Thank you for the amazing recipe!
For my dessert bar recipes, follow my Dessert Bars Pinterest Board.
- Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose Flour
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- Filling:
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons imitation almond extract
- ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
- Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1-3 teaspoons water (as needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond flour (I just used all-purpose flour)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 baking pan.
- With a hand-held mixer or a stand-alone mixer, beat butter until creamy. On low, speed add flour and powdered sugar a little a time until dough resembles crumbs. Turn mixer on medium-high speed and mix until dough comes together. Press dough into pan and bake for 18 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the filling by beating the eggs in a large bowl. Add almond extracts, baking powder, flour and whisk. Pour over crust and bake for 25 minutes. Let bars cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, mix all of the ingredients in a bowl. Add a teaspoon of water as necessary. Spread frosting over cooled bars.
Jaci
Hi Jessica from a 100 per center! Did you actually make your almond wedding cake? I’m looking for a good recipe for one. I have a friend in Pella (where my mom is from) that won the IA State Fair many years with her cakes, but she doesn’t share her recipes since she is a cake lady 🙂 My favorite Dutch recipe from my Grandma in CA is Stroopwaffels!
Jessica Erin
Hello! I had someone make my cake – definitely needed that extra help for that part of my wedding! I have a great almond cake recipe on my blog, though that I really enjoy! https://www.stuckonsweet.com/white-almond-cake/
realfoodbydad
These look so incredibly good!!!
Erin Kelly Blanton
Jessica, loving your blog SO much. I wish I would have gotten recipes from my grandma — she was a typical German grandma who cooked and baked well. She always had something on the stove or a freshly baked treat for us — no matter when we popped in. She and my mom always enjoyed a cup of fresh, HOT coffee.
(we met at Ashley’s shower, I’m Justin’s mom)
Jessica Erin
Hi Erin! Thanks for the kind comments! So glad you enjoy the blog. 🙂
housewifeintraining
Ya for frosting!! I always like to the frosting! And what a special recipe. Reminds me of Povitica as we are Croatian 🙂
Jessica Erin
So glad someone else likes the frosting Megan! 😉
juliajolliff
This is such a yummy recipe! I love reading about your family and am sure your Grandparents are such as sweet as you!
Jessica Erin
awwww thanks Julia!!
savoryexperiments
Loving these bars! Pinned!
Jessica Erin
Thanks! 🙂
Christine from Cook the Story
What a great recipe! These look SO delicious!
Jessica Erin
Thanks Christine! They’re pretty darn good!
Christie
So glad you got this recipe from your Grandma. I only got 2 from mine and wish I had gotten more. These look so delicious.
Jessica Erin
Thanks Christie! I know, I only have a few but on a mission to get more. It would be so sad if her recipes were never made again because they were wonderful. She would want that too!