Lemon Linzer Bars

Prize-Winning Recipe 2007! Luscious layers of sugar cookie, raspberry jam and dreamy lemon cream cheese are the big temptations in this bar.

Cookie Base:

1  pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix 

1/3  cup butter or margarine, softened 

2  oz cream cheese, softened 

4 1/2  teaspoons frozen (thawed) lemonade concentrate 

3/4  teaspoon almond extract 

1  egg 

Filling:

2/3  cup seedless raspberry jam 

1  package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 

1/2  cup lemon curd (from 10 to 12-oz jar) 

2  cups frozen (thawed) whipped topping or 2 cups sweetened whipped cream 

Topping:

1/3  cup sliced almonds, toasted 

24  fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) raspberries 

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms. Spread dough in bottom of pan.

3. Bake 20 to 23 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

4. Spread raspberry jam over cooled base. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and lemon curd with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Drop lemon mixture by teaspoonfuls over jam layer; spread gently and evenly over jam.

5. Sprinkle toasted almonds over top. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. To serve, top each bar with 1 raspberry, gently pressing into lemon mixture. Store covered in refrigerator.

Makes 24 bar cookies.

Recipe Source: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/lemon-linzer-bars/572972de-7b90-4d5f-96ab-6af123eb0b18