Mixed Berry Jam and Almond Bars

A few days ago it terrible here in The Ham for weather.  Rain, tornados, and hail.  Thankfully, in my area, we only had one tornado warning the entire day.  But, we received loads of rain.   Not being able to go outside, what's a gal to do but make a treat.  I found these treats on a blog by a young lady who loves to bake that is called 17 and Baking.  They were the perfect thing to make on a rainy day and the hubby's office peeps reaped the benefits of all the rain.

Mixed Berry Jam and Almond Bars
Adapted from 17 and Baking
Makes a half sheet of bars

Bars:

1 cup (2 sticks or 224g) unsalted butter at room temperature
2 cups (380g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
4 eggs
3 cups (300g) unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup seedless mixed berry jam
Drizzle:

1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons cream
1 teaspoon pure almond extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a half sheet (13″x18″ rimmed sheet) with butter or nonstick spray.

Cream together butter and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in eggs, one at a time, incorporating well after each addition. Add in vanilla and almond extract. Slowly add flour and salt, and mix until just incorporated.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Drop teaspoonfuls of jam evenly over the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown.

Allow to cool, then cut into squares. Whisk together the powdered sugar, cream, and almond extract, and drizzle over the bars.

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