These easy almond paste bars taste just like dutch letters, but are a super easy recipe to make. These dutch letter bars are addicting and delicious!
I know that the New Year has started and no one is interested in cookies and bars and fattening foods anymore. But guys, these bars deserve a ton of recognition, because they are that amazing.
You know the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”?
Well these bars completely fit the bill. They are very plain on the outside, and super simple to make. But they taste like the most decadent pastry ever.
Growing up in Iowa, I was occasionally given a super special treat of a Dutch Letter – a flaky pastry shaped like the letter “S” and filled with almond paste. They are so delicious. But they aren’t all that easy to make (note to self: why haven’t I made these yet?), which is why they are usually for special treats.
But these dutch letter bars taste EXACTLY like a dutch letter, but with seriously 5 minutes of work.
And because they look so plain and unassuming, no one else will eat them.
Which means you can eat them all yourself.
Screw that weight loss resolution, anyway.
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Yield: 9 bars
Dutch Letter Bars

These easy almond paste bars taste just like dutch letters, but are a super easy recipe to make. These dutch letter bars are addicting and delicious!
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Total Time
45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 8 oz almond paste
- 2 cups sugar + extra for sprinkling on top
- 2 cups flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients together.
- Spread into a greased 9x13 pan.
- Sprinkle the top with sugar.
- Bake for 30-305 minutes, or until the top is just slightly golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 439Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 136mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 1gSugar: 40gProtein: 5g
Dayel
Sunday 29th of August 2021
How do you incorporate the marzipan into the remainder of the ingredients? Do you grate it in or chop it into small pieces? Thanks
Jenni
Tuesday 7th of September 2021
Yeah, you can break it into small pieces and then use your hands or a pastry blender to mix it all together! This recipe is on the list to get updated soon, so I hope to get some better photos and instructions in here soon!
Michael T.
Sunday 23rd of May 2021
I found some cheap almond paste at the Amish discount grocery in Kalona. Expired almond paste works just as well.
Kelli
Saturday 2nd of December 2017
Where do you find affordable almond paste in Des Moines?
Casey
Tuesday 9th of March 2021
I found it at Walmart!
Jenni
Wednesday 20th of December 2017
I don't usually search for what is cheapest, I normally buy it wherever I happen to be, because price shopping with 3 young kiddos isn't easy! But Hy-vee or Trader Joe's is normally where I get it from!