Sugar Cookie Streusel Bars

These bars start out with a sugar cookie mix. They are so quick and easy to throw together. I am not usually one to use cookie mixes since cookies are so easy to make from scratch. I made these one morning when I was at my boyfriend's house. I was in a baking mood and he didn't have any baking stuff beyond a package of cookie mix and some jam. My bf likes to sleep in while I'm used to getting up at 6:30 AM! Total time: 35 mins including baking. Total dishes used : 1 bowl, 1 wooden spoon.

They turned out looking really pretty and tasted deceivingly homemade. The sweet jam layer added a burst of color as it peeked out from between the sturdy cookie base and crumbly topping. One of my bf's friends said it reminded him of a fruit pizza.



Sugar Cookie Streusel Bars
8-9" square pan

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) sugar cookie mix
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam (or any fruit jam)

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray bottom of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, flour, almond extract and egg until dough forms. Press half of dough into bottom of pan; bake 15 minutes. Spread jam over base. Crumble remaining dough over jam.

3 Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 2 hours. For bars, cut into 5 rows by 5 rows.