Norwegian Almond Bars

• Crust
• all-purpose flour↗2 cups
• baking powder↗1 teaspoon
• salt↗1 teaspoon
• granulated sugar↗3⁄4 cup
• unsalted butter, at room temperature↗3⁄4 cup
• Filling
• mashed potatoes, cold1⁄2 cup
• powdered sugar, sifted↗1 1⁄4 cups
• ground almonds↗1 1⁄2 cups
• ground cinnamon↗1 teaspoon
• ground cardamom↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• water↗1 tablespoon
• egg, separated↗1

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375F .

2. 2

   Sift together dry ingredients for crust. Cut in butter until mixture resembles small peas.

3. 3

   Press 3/4 of this mixture into an ungreased 9 x 13 inch pan. Reserve remaining crust mixture.

4. 4

   Bake 10 minutes. Place pan on wire rack to cool slightly.

5. 5

   Blend together mashed potatoes, powdered sugar, almonds, spices, water and egg white. Mix thoroughly.

6. 6

   Gently spread mixture evenly over partially baked crust.

7. 7

   Combine remaining crust mixture and egg yolk. Press together and roll on a floured surface in a 10 x 16 inch rectangle. Cut into strips and criss-cross on the filling.

8. 8

   Bake 20-25 minutes.

9. 9

   Cut into bars while still warm.