Dutch Letter Bars

Here’s a recipe for Dutch Letter Bars—a delicious twist on the traditional Dutch pastry “letter,” but made easier in bar form 🥧✨

Ingredients

For the pastry layer:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes

• ¼ cup sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the almond filling:

• ¾ cup almond paste (or finely ground almonds + sugar)

• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened

• 2 Tbsp sugar

• 1 egg

• ½ tsp almond extract

For topping (optional):

• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven
   Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. Make the pastry layer

   • In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

   • Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

   • Stir in sugar.

   • Beat egg with vanilla, then add to flour mixture. Mix until dough forms a ball.

   • Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

3. Prepare almond filling

   • Mix almond paste, butter, sugar, egg, and almond extract until smooth.

   • Spread filling evenly over the pastry layer in the pan.

4. Top with remaining dough

   • Crumble or gently flatten remaining dough on top (you can also slice into strips for a lattice look).

5. Bake

   • Bake 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown.

6. Cool & serve

   • Let cool completely, then dust with powdered sugar.

   • Cut into bars and serve.

Tips

• Almond paste gives the classic Dutch flavor, but you can mix in a little cinnamon for warmth.

• These bars keep well in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

• Optional: drizzle with a simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk) for extra sweetness.

If you want, I can also make a “mini Dutch letter bar version” for snack-sized portions or a more authentic Dutch puff pastry style that’s flakier.