Coffee Bars

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Combine flour, baking powder, cardamom, and salt; set these dry ingredients aside.

Combine milk and instant coffee in saucepan, and heat at a medium low setting. Stir until coffee dissolves, and remove from the heat.

In a large bowl, cream the butter or margarine with the white sugar and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Beat in the egg, and then beat in the coffee mixture. Gradually blend in the mixture of dry ingredients, and fold in the almonds.

Spread dough evenly in a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

To Make Frosting: Put 1 cup of the confectioners' sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat in the evaporated milk and vanilla extract. Gradually beat in remaining 2 cups of confectioners' sugar. Continue beating until of desired consistency. If consistency is too thick, add a little more milk; if it is too thin, add more powdered sugar.

Frost the bars with the icing.