Warning – these almond squares are hard to resist!
Let me tell you why: butter, almonds, sugar, vanilla. Get it? 🙂
These almond squares are easy to make and quick to bake. First, you bake the buttery, tender cake-like crust. Next, you cook a sugary almond sauce on the stove until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture thickens. Finally, you pour the almond sauce over the warm, just-baked cake and broil until the almond topping caramelizes to perfection.
When the cake has completely cooled, cut it into squares, and store it in an airtight container.
These almond squares are delicious served warm. You can reheat them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or in the microwave for 10 seconds.
If you like this recipe and want more like it, check out my cookbook Beach House Baking on Amazon. 🙂
Almond Squares
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup sugar divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup butter (unsalted), melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup butter (unsalted), soft
- ½ cup almonds sliced
- ¼ cup coconut shredded, optional
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- pinch of salt
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13x2-inch baking dishand set aside.
- Combine ¾ cup sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt, and almond extract in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until thick and well combined, about 2 minutes. Beat in 1 cup melted butter and 1 cup flour until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Pour batter into the prepared dish. Spread evenly with a mini offset spatula; batter will thicken as it sits.
- Bake in the preheated oven until edges have browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
- A few minutes before cake finishes baking, combine remaining ½ cup sugar, ½ cup soft butter, almonds, coconut, 1 tablespoon flour, milk, and salt in a small pot. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture thickens and turns opaque, about 2 minutes.
- Remove the cake from the oven and immediately spread almond mixture over the top with a mini offset spatula. Adjust the oven to high broil and cook until topping is caramelized, 1 to 2 minutes, rotating every 30 seconds. Cool completely before cutting into squares.