Jam Squares

Difficulty: easy Prep Time: Fifteen Minutes Total Time: More than 1 hour
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp allspice
1 cup slivered almonds (optional)
1/2 cup strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and blend well. Sift together flour, salt and allspice. Add, along with almonds if desired, to creamed mixture. Spoon half the mixture into a 9" pan and pat down. Spread layer of jam on top. Top with remaining mixture. Bake for 40-50 minutes.