Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment or spray bottom of pan with baking spray.
Mix together flour, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Add in butter and use a pastry blender to cut in the butter until it looks like coarse meal.
Add in cold water and mix with a fork until the dough comes together.
Press dough into bottom of pan and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.Remove from oven and turn oven up to 400 degrees F.
Let base cool and mix together topping. In a saucepan, mix together cream, sugar and extract over medium heat until it comes to a rolling boil. Stir occasionally. About 2-3 minutes
Remove from heat and stir in almonds. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
Pour warm topping over baked base. Make sure almonds are evenly distributed.
Bake for 25-30 more minutes. Allow to cool. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the bars as they cool to loosen them. Cut into pieces after they cool.