Recipe: Yuletide Linzer Bars (layered, using ground almonds and raspberry preserves)

YULETIDE LINZER BARS

1 1/3 cups butter or margarine -- softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon lemon peel
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole almonds, ground
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raspberry preserves
powdered sugar (for garnish)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 13x9-inch baking pan.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until creamy. Beat in egg and lemon peel until blended. Mix in flour, almonds and cinnamon until well blended.

Press 2 cups flour mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Spread preserves over crust. Press remaining flour mixture, a small amount at a time, evenly over preserves.

Bake 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Remove pan to wire rack; cool completely.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into bars.

Makes 36 bars
Source: Country Christmas Recipes