Linzer Torte Bars

Three easy steps give you fruit-filled bars for a crowd!

3 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
3 cups powdered sugar
3 cups ground walnuts
1 1/2 cups butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups raspberry or strawberry preserves
Additional powdered sugar, if desired

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

In large bowl, stir together all ingredients except preserves and additional powdered sugar with spoon until crumbly. Reserve 2 cups of the mixture for topping; press remaining mixture in bottom of ungreased 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Spread with preserves. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture; press gently into preserves. Bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar.

For bars, cut into 12 rows by 6 rows.

Yield: 72 bars

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Increase bake time for second baking to 25 to 30 minutes

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of ©2004 and /™ General Mills - used with permission