baking
IF YOU GIVE A BLONDE A KITCHEN
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
Next, cream the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), combine flour, oats, chopped almonds, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix for 30 seconds until thoroughly combined. With the mixer on low, add the butter and almond extract.
Mix until the mixture resembles coarse sand (about 2 minutes).
Transfer half the mixture to the prepared pan. Use your hands or the back of a measuring cup to press mixture evenly into the bottom to form the crust.
Bake crust for 20 minutes or until golden (keep the oven on).
Spread preserves over baked crust using an offset spatula. Add chopped fresh strawberries on top.
Sprinkle remaining oat mixture evenly over the strawberry layer.
Bake strawberry bars for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Allow bars to cool completely before removing from pan and cutting into 16 squares.
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