Fudgey Almond Bars

Ingredients

 * 3/4 	cup 	(1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
 * 3/4 	cup 	powdered sugar
 * 1 1/2 	cups 	all-purpose flour
 * 1/3 	cup 	butter or margarine
 * 1/2 	cup 	HERSHEY'S cocoa
 * 1 	can 	(14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
 * 1 1/4 	cups 	almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped (*)
 * 1/2 	cup 	Hot water
 * 2 		eggs, well beaten
 * 1/2 	tsp 	almond extract
 * 1/8 	tsp 	salt

Directions

 * 1) Heat oven to 350 F.


 * 1) Beat 3/4 cup butter and powdered sugar in large bowl until well blended.


 * 1) Add flour; mix well.


 * 1) Press mixture evenly onto bottom of ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan.


 * 1) Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.


 * 1) Meanwhile, in medium saucepan over low heat, melt 1/3 cup butter; stir in cocoa.


 * 1) Remove from heat; stir in sweetened condensed milk, almonds, water, eggs, almond extract and salt.


 * 1) Pour evenly over prepared crust.


 * 1) Return to oven.


 * 1) Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set.


 * 1) Cool completely in pan on wire rack.


 * 1) Cut into bars.


 * 1) Cover; store in refrigerator.


 * 1) To toast almonds: Heat oven to 350 F.


 * 1) Spread almonds in thin layer in shallow baking pan.
 * 2) Bake 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown; cool.