Almond Pastry Squares

1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter or margarine
1/2 cup almond filling
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine 1 egg
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon flour

1. Combine flour and the 1/2 cup sugar in a mixing bowl. Cut in the 6 tablespoons butter using a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press half the mixture onto the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan.

2. Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees) for 10 minutes. remove from oven; cool slightly on wire rack.

3. Beat almond filling with remaining sugar and butter until blended. Beat in egg, lemon rind and flour. Spread over partially baked layer. Sprinkle remaining flour mixture evenly over filling; press down lightly.

4. Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees) for 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and filling is firm. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into 36 1 1/2-inch squares when cool. Garnish with whole almonds half covered with melted chocolate, if you wish.

Makes 36 1 1/2-inch squares

[What is this 1/2 cup almond filling? I don't think I've ever seen "almond filling" in the grocery store. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place. Also, the off-hand comment about garnishing with whole almonds half-covered in melted chocolate is a bit unfair. What if that sounds just great, but you didn't pick up any whole almonds or chocolate to melt because they weren't listed in the ingredients as an option? Recipe writers need to think about these things. How can anyone remember to look for whole almonds or chocolate to melt when they have to spend so much time looking for the almond filling?]