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Christmas Cookies – Almond Bars & Praline Cookies

Christmas Cookies – Almond Bars & Praline Cookies recipe image
These festive holiday treats offer the perfect balance of textures and flavors for your Christmas table. The Almond Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with a luscious, creamy cheesecake filling infused with rich almond extract. Meanwhile, the Praline Cookies deliver a satisfying crunch with pecans embedded in a soft, brown-sugar-spiced dough, finished with a glossy, sweet glaze. Together, they create a nostalgic baking experience that fills the kitchen with warmth. These cookies are ideal for holiday cookie exchanges, family gatherings, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa on a crisp winter evening. The combination of tender bars and crunchy cookies ensures there is something for every palate to enjoy during the festive season.
Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Description
These festive holiday treats offer the perfect balance of textures and flavors for your Christmas table. The Almond Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with a luscious, creamy cheesecake filling infused with rich almond extract. Meanwhile, the Praline Cookies deliver a satisfying crunch with pecans embedded in a soft, brown-sugar-spiced dough, finished with a glossy, sweet glaze. Together, they create a nostalgic baking experience that fills the kitchen with warmth. These cookies are ideal for holiday cookie exchanges, family gatherings, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa on a crisp winter evening. The combination of tender bars and crunchy cookies ensures there is something for every palate to enjoy during the festive season.
Ingredients
  • 1 butter, softened (for crust)
  • 2 all-purpose flour (for crust)
  • 0.5 powdered sugar (for crust)
  • 8 cream cheese, softened (for filling)
  • 2 eggs (for filling)
  • 0.5 sugar (for filling)
  • 1 almond extract (for filling)
  • 1.5 all-purpose flour (for praline cookies)
  • 1.5 brown sugar (for praline cookies)
  • 1.5 baking powder (for praline cookies)
  • 0.5 salt (for praline cookies)
  • 0.67 solid shortening (for praline cookies)
  • 1 vanilla extract (for praline cookies)
  • 1 egg (for praline cookies)
  • 0.5 chopped pecans (for praline cookies)
  • 2 butter (for glaze)
  • 0.25 brown sugar (for glaze)
  • 1.5 milk (for glaze, add up to 2.5 Tbsp if needed)
  • 0.75 powdered sugar (for glaze)
Directions
  1. 1
    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. 2
    For the Almond Bars crust: In a bowl, mix 1 cup butter, 2 cups flour, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until well combined.
  3. 3
    Pat the crust mixture into an even layer in a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  4. 4
    Bake the crust for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly golden.
  5. 5
    While the crust bakes, prepare the filling: Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 tsp almond extract together until smooth.
  6. 6
    Pour the filling over the hot crust immediately after removing it from the oven.
  7. 7
    Return to the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the filling is set.
  8. 8
    Allow the bars to cool completely, then cut into 24 to 36 bars.
  9. 9
    For the Praline Cookies: In a large bowl, combine 1.5 cups flour, 1.5 cups brown sugar, 1.5 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  10. 10
    Cut in 2/3 cup solid shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  11. 11
    Stir in 1 tsp vanilla, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup chopped pecans until a stiff dough forms.
  12. 12
    Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  13. 13
    Bake the cookies for 10 to 13 minutes, or until deep golden brown.
  14. 14
    Remove from oven and immediately top each cookie with a few pecan halves.
  15. 15
    While cookies cool, make the glaze: In a small saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp butter.
  16. 16
    Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1.5 to 2.5 Tbsp milk.
  17. 17
    Add 3/4 cup powdered sugar and blend until smooth and glossy.
  18. 18
    Drizzle the glaze over the cooled pecan cookies.
Note

Store Almond Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Praline Cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.

For the glaze, adjust milk quantity to achieve desired consistency.

Keywords: christmas, cookies, almond bars, praline, pecan, holiday baking, cheesecake bars, shortbread, dessert, winter treats, cookie exchange, glazed cookies, festive, homemade, easy baking, nutty, sweet
Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/christmas-cookies-almond-bars-praline-cookies/