For my mom's birthday last year I hosted a dessert buffet. It was so fun and much easier than a meal to pull off. I made these bars and have made them several times since then as per request. They have a very full flavor but a nice fine texture. You could change the apricot to any flavor preserves and the almond extract to vanilla or another flavor and customize these bars for any taste.

Apricot Almond Squares

1 pkg. (18.25 oz.) yellow cake mix with pudding

8 TBSP. butter, melted

½ cup finely chopped almonds (with skins or blanched)

1 1/3 cups apricot preserves (12 oz. jar)

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature

¼ cup sugar

2 TBSP. all-purpose flour

½ tsp. almond extract

1 large egg

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 pan with Pam. Place the cake mix, melted butter and almonds in a mixing bowl. Blend well. Mixture will be crumbly. Reserve one cup for topping. Press the rest of mixture in the pan, making sure it reaches all the sides. Spread the preserves over the crust. For the filling, place the cream cheese in the same mixing bowl and beat until creamy. Add sugar, flour, almond extract and egg. Beat for 1-2 minutes. Spread mixture over the preserves and scatter the reserved crumb mixture over the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes and cut into 24 bars.

I found this in a cookbook but can't remember which one. Sorry to whoever made this recipe. You rock!