Almond Butter Bars

Almond Butter Bars

Hold on to your hats, almond butter lovers. You are about to be seriously happy.

When almond butter first became a thing, I got really excited and ran out to buy some. And then, boom. Huge disappointment. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t peanut butter.

I think that was my problem. I was looking at almond butter through the lens of peanut butter and expecting something just like that. When I learned to step back and appreciate almond butter on its own, then it was so much more delicious. Plus, then I could open up all the baking doors and make those fun desserts happen!

Almond Butter Bars

It’s the same deal with white chocolate. If I look at it like chocolate, then nope, not interested. But once I start to see it as a dessert on its own, white chocolate becomes totally legit.

A lot of life is like that. If we let our expectations rule our reality, we’re probably doomed to be disappointed. It’s like when someone talks up a movie a lot and it just doesn’t wind up shaking your universe. That happened to me withย The Martian, and I wish I could have just seen it before anyone framed it as the best movie ever for me. It would have been a better experience.

Almond Butter Bars

Expectation definitely becomes a problem with human interaction. I can’t tell you how many parents of students I teach compare them to other siblings or to themselves, expecting that the child we’re discussing will or should be the same way. No matter how much I gently suggest to them that everyone is different and brings varied talents to the game, they only want to see what their minds have taught them is the norm.

And don’t get me started on relationships. When I was younger, I had a type. That type was the exact opposite of Kenny, and it turned out that I didn’t know squat about what was best for me until I opened myself up to the possibility of a different kind of man. Thank heaven I got the message at the right time, but what about people who keep doggedly pursuing a type of person who they’re positive is right, only to realize time and time again that it’s not working out?

Almond Butter Bars

You see? Almond butter inspires an awful lot of deep thought.

These bars are almost like candy. There’s no flour or egg in here either, so yay for that! But these are filled with almond butter, powdered sugar, and regular butter. Mmm. And let’s not forget about that layer of melted milk chocolate on top.

Almond Butter Bars

My almond butter-hating brother tried these and was pleasantly pleased to discover that they were surprisingly delicious. And I haven’t stopped knocking them back, either. I’m on batch number three!

It’s hard to adjust our expectations when we’re so biased (often unknowingly) in a different direction. But if we just keep trying new things, we’ll open up the possibilities. And that’s very good news for life, and especially for dessert!

 

Almond Butter Bars

Ingredients

โ€ข1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
16 oz. (1 jar) almond butter
2 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. On the stovetop, melt the butter over low heat. Add the brown sugar, almond butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt. Stir until the mixture is combined and smooth.
  2. Press the hot almond butter mixture into a foil-lined 8-inch square pan, doing your best to make an even layer. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top and wait five minutes. Using a spatula, spread the melted chocolate over the almond butter layer.
  3. Chill for about 30 minutes until the chocolate is set. Let the bars come to room temperature and cut into small squares. Store in an airtight container.
http://justaboutbaked.com/almond-butter-bars/

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 22 Comments

  1. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

    Mir – I’ve learned that making almond butter from scratch is the best way to enjoy it. Sally, from Sally’s Baking Addiction, has an amazing maple almond butter recipe and my entire family is obsessed. These bars are so beautiful! ๐Ÿ™‚
    Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Red Velvet Pizzelles with Cream Cheese FrostingMy Profile

    1. Mir

      True, but I find that in the crazy hectic life I lead, there isn’t always time to make it from scratch! So this way I can enjoy it and get dessert out of it too!

  2. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    I expected almond butter to taste very similar to peanut butter when I first tried it, too. I was pretty disappointed, but it’s grown on me. These bars look delicious! I love how thick they are, especially with the layer of chocolate on top!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Cheesy Garlic BreadMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It sure isn’t PB, Gayle! But it’s delicious once you get used to it.

  3. Kate @ Framed Cooks

    I love almond butter – we always have a jar of it around (have done ever since our first round of Whole 30), so these are right straight up my alley. And since I am still feeling chocolate deprived since the Valentine’s Day Incident, these will need to go on my weekend treat for Kate list!
    Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Lyonnaise SandwichesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      That’s one element of Whole 30 I can get behind! Other than that…yeah. Almond butter yay, deprivation no! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    I can never decided if I prefer almond butter of cashew butter – it’s such a tough decision. I think I will have to make these just to be sure. You know, for research.
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Pasta e Fagioli Soup by DanniiMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Research is so vital, Dannii!

  5. Trish - Mom On Timeout

    These bars look outrageously awesome…like, good enough that I may need to buy some almond butter and try it for the very first time good ๐Ÿ™‚ Love these Mir!
    Trish – Mom On Timeout recently posted…Rolo Stuffed Chocolate Cake Mix CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      You’ve never tried it? Well, this is research for your blog then, Trish! ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Manali @ CookWithManali

    ha! I watched Martian without zero expectation just around a week back and LOVED it! you are absolutely right, it’s all about expectations!! but I am expecting these bars to be crazy good and I am sure this expectation is totally valid!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Moong Dal HalwaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I wish I’d seen it before everyone talked it up, Manali!

  7. annie@ciaochowbambina

    There are a lot of deep thoughts I’ve been neglecting to pay attention to, lately. It’s time I get me some almond butter and open the floodgates. Another great post, my friend. And these bars = perfection!
    annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Linguine with Sweet Sausage, White Truffle Butter, Sage & ParmesanMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Ha. Almond bars apparently make me philosophical, Annie! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.

    I have totally thought the same thing about almond butter – it’s not peanut butter so why bother? And white chocolate – it’s just not chocolate. Although I will say I’ve enjoyed white chocolate in some stuff, as long as I don’t consider it chocolate! Pretty sure I could get on board with these almond butter bars too, they look amazing!
    Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Banana PancakesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I think those foods just need to be showcased a different way. After all, almond butter and jelly on bread is just nowhere near PB & J!

  9. Amanda

    I love almond butter. I could put it on anything. I know that some people bring their own special salts or condiments with them to restaurants. I could do that with almond butter. I’m really digging the fudgy texture with these. Sounds rich and wonderful.
    Amanda recently posted…Morning Glory SmoothieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I dare you to bring it to a restaurant, Amanda! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    I did that same thing with almond butter!! And these bars. OMG. I want the entire pan!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Peanut Butter Candy Bar PieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Almond butter is MUCH more fun in a dessert bar!

  11. Michele @ Alwayzbakin

    That is one gorgeous-looking bar! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ I have not tried almond butter yet, but these bars have certainly piqued my interest. Yum!
    Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Samoa Cookie CupsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s worth a shot, Michele!

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