Almond Bars

These are a staple at my house during the holidays and my favorite cookie probably of all time.

Preheat oven to 325

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 tablespoons milk
1 cup sliced almonds

Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy and pale. About 3- 4 minutes. Add salt, eggs, vanilla, almond extract and baking powder. Add flour and mix until combined.

Divide dough into 6 pieces. On a parchment lined cookie sheet, roll two of the pieces of dough into logs the length of the cookie sheet. Flatten the dough with your fingers until they are 3 inches wide. You will have two long ovals on each cookie sheet.

With a pastry brush, brush the milk onto each oval of dough. Sprinkle the top with almonds.

Bake at 325 for 16 minutes.

Cool cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then slice them 1 inch wide at an angle. Allow them to cool completely on the cookie sheet then transfer to a wire cooling rack. Once cooled, drizzle with icing.

Icing:

2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon melted butter