Newfoundland Cherry Cake Squares
Ingredients
For the Cake Squares:
- 1 cup butter
- 1-½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1-¼ tsp. baking powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup glace cherries, quartered
For the Frosting:
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 – 2 tbsp. milk
Instructions
To prepare the cake squares:
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F or 325°F for glass bake ware.
- In a medium bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, vanilla and almond extracts; beat well.
- In a small bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder.
- Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, folding to combine well.
- Fold in the chopped cherries.
- Spread in a parchment lined or greased 9-inch square baking pan.
- Place in the the pre-heated oven and bake for 45 – 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Frost with vanilla frosting.
To prepare the vanilla frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat together the butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and milk until, light, fluffy and of a good spreadable consistency.
- Add the milk only a little at a time until the proper consistency is achieved.
To assemble the squares:
- Spread over the cooled cookies and cut into squares or bars.
- These freeze very well in airtight containers.
Notes
This recipe is too large for an 8-inch x 8-inch pan; if you do not have a 9-inch x 9-inch pan, you can multiply the entire recipe by 1-1/2 and use a 9-inch x 13-inch pan instead.