Florentine Cookie Bars

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup butter, cubed
• 2/3 cup honey
• 4 cups sliced almonds
• 1 1/2 cups candied red cherries or 1 1/2 cups green glazed cherries
• 3/4 cup dried currant
• 1 1/4 lbs candy coating

Recipe

• 1 in a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. beat in egg. gradually add flour and mix well. refrigerate for 30 minutes or until easy to handle.
• 2 roll dough into an ungreased 15-in.x10 in.x1 inches baking pan. bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned.
• 3 meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cream, butter, and honey. cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 246 degrees( firm-ball stage). remove from the heat; stir in the almonds, cherries and currants. spread evenly into crust.
• 4 bake for 18-22 minutes or just until filling is set. cool completely on a wire rack. refrigerate overnight.
• 5 remove florentine from pan. with a sharp knife, trim edges of crust; discard the trim.cut lengthwise into six strips;cut each strip into 16 triangles.
• 6 in a microwave-safe bowl, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. dip the short side of each triangle into candy coating; place on wax paper. drizzle with additional candy coating. let stand until set. cover and store in the refrigerator.