Scandinavian Almond Bars

One year I went to a bake and take cookie class and this recipe was one of the cookies they had. Now they are a staple on my holiday cookie tray, they are SO good! Maybe it's because I'm Norwegian and Danish, but even if you don't have a Scandinavian heritage, you have to try them.

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. almond extract
milk
1/2 c. sliced almonds, coarsely chopped

Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. In a large mixer bowl, beat butter or margarine til softened. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg and almond extract and beat well. Add flour mixture and beat til well mixed.

Divid dough into fourths. Form each into a 12 in. roll. Place 2 rolls 4-5 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten til 3 inches wide. Repeat with remaining rolls.
Brush flattened rolls with milk and sprinkle with almonds bake in a 325 oven for 12-14 minutes or til edges are lightly browned. While bars are still warm, cut them crosswise at a diagonal into 1 inch strips. Cool. Drizzle with almond icing.

Almond Icing:
Stir together one cup sifted powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp. almond extract and enough milk (about 3-4 tsp.) to make icing of drizzling consistency.