Occasionally my mother would make date squares when I was a child. I never really liked them then but I have learned to love them as an adult. Filled with oatmeal and sweet dates the squares are filling and tasty at the same time. Try one as a mid afternoon snack to get you through the day.
2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda Continue reading Date Squares
At this time of year I like to take picnics out and explore my home town. It’s great to have something sweet to finish off the meal. Peanut Chip bars are sweet and nutty and filled with chocolate chips. Their soft and moist but firm enough that they won’t disintegrate in your picnic basket.
For a change try using butterscotch chips in place of the chocolate.
Enjoy!
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon Continue reading Peanut Chip Bars
Filled with carob chips and chocolate, these squares are ooey gooey and delectable. Serve on your next party platter or for a midnight treat.
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla Continue reading Carob Chip Squares
Sometimes I like a small sweet treat in the middle of the afternoon. Instead of cookies or candy I often turn to dried fruit. Fruit Bites combine a number of popular dried fruits with nuts and seeds to make a rolled treat. For a change in the recipe substitute sesame seeds for sunflower seeds.
1 cup dried dates
1/2 cups cashews
1/2 cups dried apricots
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Put dates. cashews, apricots and oats in a food processor with the mixing blades. Mix on high speed until chunks are combined and the batter is of thick consistency. Batter will be sticky.
Remove from food processor and roll in a log in parchment. Chill for at least an hour.
Remove from parchment and cut in slices. Roll slices in sunflower seeds to coat.
For another afternoon treat try Chocolate Peanut Butter Clusters
I rediscovered my mother’s cookbook this week. It’s amazing what memories a few words on paper can bring back. The recipes lovingly copied in both my mother’s and my grandmother’s handwriting remind me of special occasions. My mom used to open the book to mix and bake her special recipes on a birthday, holiday or when one of us was feeling blue.
English Spice Cookies is a recipe originating from my English grandmother. Nana liked her sweets and we could always find cookies of some kind on her table. The recipe has a hint of spice and dried fruits to sweeten the batter. For a change try using dried blueberries or dried cranberries instead of dates.
1/3 cup butter
1 scant cup of granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup raisings
1/2 cup finely chopped dates
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 to 2 cups flour to make a firm dough
2 tbsp milk
Where I live strawberries are usually fresh in June. It’s also the month of my mother’s birthday so we often have shortcake instead of birthday cake to celebrate.
This shortcake recipe is sweet, light and fluffy yet it is still firm enough to take on a picnic.
4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp baking powder
2 cups milk + 2 tsp vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable shortening
In a bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder.
