Why You’ll Love Almond Croissant Cookie Bars Recipe

Enjoy all the classic flavors of an almond croissant—rich butter, toasted almond, and sweet almond cream—transformed into fuss-free, sliceable bars.
Simple to prepare and easy to slice, making these bars perfect for sharing or gifting.
Highly customizable—create a vegan or gluten-free version, or adjust the sweetness to your preference.
Perfect texture: crispy edges, a gooey center, and a delightful almond crunch topping.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
– Almond flour / blanched almond meal
– All-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 flour)
– Granulated sugar (or brown sugar for extra depth)
– Unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
– Eggs (or dairy-free substitute)
– Milk (or dairy-free alternative)
– Almond extract (optional but recommended)
– Baking powder
– Sliced almonds (for topping)

directions

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.
Make the frangipane: Combine almond flour, sugar, melted butter, milk, and almond extract. Chill the mixture until it firms up.
Make the dough: Cream the melted butter with sugar (either brown or white). Mix in the milk and extracts. Stir in both the all-purpose flour and almond flour along with the baking powder until a soft dough forms.
Press half of the dough into the prepared pan. Spread the chilled frangipane mixture evenly over the dough.
Shape or crumble the remaining dough over the frangipane layer. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top.
Bake for 30–50 minutes, depending on the thickness of your layers, until the edges are golden and the top is set.
Allow to cool completely in the pan (at least 1 hour) before slicing into bars.

Servings and timing

Yield: About 16 bars from an 8×8 inch pan.
Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 30–50 minutes (typically around 35 minutes)
Cool: At least 1 hour
Total time: Approximately 1½ hours

Variations

Vegan: Use plant-based butter and milk to create a vegan version.
Gluten-free: Substitute with a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend.
Lower sugar: Swap out some of the sugar for brown sugar for extra depth of flavor, or adjust the sweetness with a sugar alternative like erythritol.
Flavor twist for frangipane: Add orange or lemon zest, or stir in a little extra almond or vanilla extract for a fresh twist.
Crumble topping: Instead of layering the dough in discs, crumble it on top for a streusel-like effect.

storage/reheating

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Refrigeration: They will last for 7–10 days when stored in the refrigerator.
Freezing: Freeze slices for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.
Reheating: Gently reheat individual slices by microwaving for 5–10 seconds to revive their gooey texture.

FAQs

What makes this different from almond croissants?

These bars capture the rich frangipane filling and almond topping of a traditional almond croissant but without the layered, buttery dough, making them easier to bake and slice.

Can I use store-bought almond paste instead of homemade frangipane?

Yes! You can use store-bought almond paste, such as Trader Joe’s almond paste. Just slice, melt, or thin it out to spread easily over the dough.

Why should I chill the frangipane before baking?

Chilling the frangipane helps it firm up, which prevents it from blending into the dough during baking and keeps the layers distinct.

How can I ensure clean slices?

To make slicing easier, line the pan with two sheets of parchment paper (crosswise). This helps lift the bars out of the pan and allows for cleaner cuts.

Can I make these in a 9×9 inch pan?

Yes, you can use a 9×9 inch pan. The yield will be similar, but the bars may be a little thinner, so adjust the baking time (they might need an extra 5-10 minutes).

Are these bars eggless?

This particular recipe uses eggs, but you can substitute them with vegan alternatives (such as yogurt or a flax egg) to make the recipe egg-free.

Can I reduce the sugar in the recipe?

You can reduce the sugar, but keep in mind that sugar plays a key role in the texture. Small reductions are okay, but cutting too much may make the bars dry or crumbly.

Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious!

Can I freeze the bars?

Yes, you can freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature or microwave briefly to warm them up.

What’s the best way to serve these bars?

Serve at room temperature with a cup of coffee or tea. For a bakery-style touch, warm the bars slightly and dust with powdered sugar.

Conclusion

Almond Croissant Cookie Bars are a delicious fusion of pastry and cookie that brings together rich almond flavors, buttery shortbread, and creamy frangipane in an easy-to-serve bar format. Whether you’re looking for a decadent treat to share with friends, a simple dessert for an event, or just a delicious snack, these bars are sure to satisfy. Enjoy the best of both pastry worlds in one bite!