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Newfoundland Cherry Cake Squares

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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.