Springtime Strawberry Bars

http://allrecipes.com/Cook/10362834/Profile.aspx

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup slivered almonds, chopped
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (12 ounce) jar strawberry preserves (see note)

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon peel. Combine 3 cups flour, almonds, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture until mixture resembles coarse crumbs (do not over mix).
2. Set aside 1 cup of dough. Press the remaining dough into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Spread preserves to within 1/4 in. of edges. Combine the reserved dough with the remaining flour; sprinkle over preserves. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack. Cut into bars.

NOTE: I halved the recipe, using a 8x8 pan, but still used a whole jar of preserves. For me personally, they may've been a bit bland with less jam. Also used orange rind instead of lemon, and it was delicious!