Just Keep the Dish: Grandma's Cherry Squares

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Grandma's Cherry Squares

My father paid us an unexpected visit this morning. We had an ice storm here in Pittsburgh this morning and stopped to check in to see if we needed anything. I did need to hit up the grocery store so I bundled up and off we went. For some reason we got to talking about Christmas cookies--you know the ones you had every single year for the holiday and only on the holiday? The following recipe was one of our family favorites. I decided to bake them today in tribute to my grandmother, Mary Melnick. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Ingredients:
1 boxed yellow or white cake mix
1 can of cherry pie filling (I used the lite)
1/4 cup of powdered sugar

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350
Prepare the cake mix according the box instructions
Spread batter evenly into a 18x13 lightly greased (or sprayed) jellyroll pan (it will be thin, but don't worry)
Score the batter with a butter knife or pizza cutter into 12 squares
Drop one tablespoon of cherry filling into the center of each square

Bake for 30-35 minutes until edges are brown and toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in ban on a cooling rack for 10-15 minutes.

They will look something like abstract art. They are not supposed to be perfect :)
Once they are cool, cut with a sharp knife into squares.
Keep in the fridge for up to one week.
Dust with powdered sugar prior to serving. They will look like this...

TA-DA!!!

Make it a Gift: These cookies really should be kept in the jellyroll pan if you plan on taking them on the go. Here is a high quality jellyroll pan set that I found on Amazon that should fit the bill...and make a nice gift as well! One for you and one for the hostess! Currently $24.99 for a set of two!