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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

FLORENTINE BARS

1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 - 3/4 cups sugar
1 egg plus one egg yolk
2 - 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
12 ounces sliced almonds
1/2 cup raisins, finely chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1/2 cup dries cherries, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In a large bowl, cream 1 cup butter with 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and egg yolk and beat to combine. Gradually add flour and mix well (dough will be very soft). Transfer to a floured 16 - by - 11 inch parchment paper. with a floured rolling pin, roll dough to same size as parchment paper. Trim any overhang, then transfer dough (on parchment) to a large rimmed baking pan. Bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven (leave oven on) and set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together butter, remaining 1 - 1/4 cups sugar, honey and cream. Cook mixture, stirring frequently, until it registers 250 on a candy thermometer. Remove pan from heat and stir in almonds, raisins, apricots and cherries.

Using a spatula, gently spread warm topping over shortbread. Bake until topping is caramelized and almonds are lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven; while still warm, cut into 2 inch squares. Cool completely.

YIELD: make 35 bars


20 comments:

  1. Geri...these look really good. I have a bunch of golden raisins to use up. I may just have to use them in this recipe.

    CHRISTmas Blessings!
    Gail

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  2. Geri,
    Oh these sound wonderful -You have great recipes.
    vickie

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  3. Beautiful.....i'm making them.....

    Best,
    Kary

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  4. they look like a goooey mess...

    they look wonderful

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  5. How yummy looking! Gooey is always yummy!

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  6. Those look so good! I love the dried fruit..yum!

    Enjoy!

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  7. My husband would love these with all the fruit. Saving!

    Sue

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  8. These look so delicious!! I love adding the dried fruit. YUM!! I will be making some of these soon. Thanks!!

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  9. Of, my! These look really good. I'll bet they are delicious.

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  10. Oh these look really good. I'm going to add them to my "Gotta try these" list.

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  11. Those bars sound great! Thanks for linking to TMTT.

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  12. Thanks for following my blog! I have become a follower of yours also. I cant wait to check out all of your recipes!

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  13. Oh these sound delicious! Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays.

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  14. love how these sound and dried fruit and nuts are great for christmas

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  15. This has such good stuff in it. I have to add this to my list. Please, come on over and help me catch up. I really would like this to munch on.

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  16. What beautiful bars. They remind me of bark like you see at Williams Sonoma. Very "holiday-ish."
    Sam

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  17. Are these chewy or crunchy? Because I am picturing some wonderful, delicious chewiness.
    They look delicious!

    Thanks for sharing with my Cookie Exchange!

    Stephanie @ A Fine House

    http://afinehouse.blogspot.com/2009/12/holiday-cookie-exchange-2009.html

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  18. These sound awesome and would be such a great gift basket addition. Thank you for linking up with OuR KrAzy KiTcHeN Christmas cookie party.

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  19. These look soooo delicious. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Yours is truley spectacular I love the pretty Christmas design

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