Tahini Linzer Torte Bars

Step 1

Lightly butter a 13x9" baking dish, then line with a sheet of parchment paper, leaving overhang on long sides. Lightly butter parchment. Whisk flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and cardamom in a medium bowl.

Step 2

Separate yolk from 1 egg over a small bowl to catch egg white. Place yolk in another small bowl; set egg white aside for brushing dough. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar, tahini, and 1½ cups butter in a large bowl, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla, egg yolk, and remaining egg and beat just to combine. Scrape down sides of bowl, add dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until just combined. Scrape half of dough into prepared pan. Using your fingers, press into pan in an even layer, going 1" up the sides; chill.

Step 3

Place remaining dough on a sheet of parchment paper and pat into a square. Place another sheet of parchment paper on top and roll into a 13x9" rectangle. Remove top sheet of parchment and generously sprinkle dough with sesame seeds. Replace parchment and press dough gently with rolling pin to help seeds stick. Remove parchment and cut dough lengthwise into ¾"-wide strips (don’t pull them apart; dough will be very fragile). Slide onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.

Step 4

Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°. Spread jam evenly over dough in pan. Lightly beat reserved egg white with a fork, then brush all over frozen strips of dough. Retrace cuts to make sure strips are separated, then lay lengthwise over filling (spacing them about ½" apart works well). Cut remaining strips in half and place crosswise on top of strips, pressing into edge of bottom crust (you may not use all of the strips).

Step 5

Brush lattice once more with egg white and sprinkle generously with raw sugar. Bake until crust is deeply browned all over and jam is bubbling in places, 40–45 minutes. Let linzer torte cool in pan, then use parchment to lift out onto a cutting board and slice into 12 squares.