Quick and Easy Cherry Squares

OK – let’s imagine a scenario. You just remembered you promised to bring a dessert to a friend’s party – but you forgot all about it. You check in the cupboards… nothing there but a can of fruit pie filling. Let’s say it’s cherry. “Just great”, you think, “What am I gonna do with that?”

Easy answer – If you’ve also got flour, butter, eggs and sugar – which most of us usually have on hand – then you’re minutes away from putting the cherry (or blueberry etc.) fruit squares into the oven!

You’ll be beloved.  Everyone will ask for the recipe. Perhaps you’ll end on television, preparing these Quick and Easy Cherry Squares for your adoring public… OK – enough with the daydreaming. But I can guarantee you that these will be a big hit. And, if you have time to drop by a Quikie-Mart on the way to the party for vanilla ice cream or a can of whipped cream – then you’ll be even more beloved. Enjoy! 

++ You can use any canned fruit pie filling you wish, like blueberry or apple, if you prefer.

++ Oven at 350 F      Bake for 50 minutes     Can be served either warm or cold

Ingredients

• 2 sticks butter or margarine, softened   (Unwrap & microwave for 20 seconds.)
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling  (Or blueberry etc.)

Grease and flour at 10″ x 13″ pan or casserole. (I like to use “Wilton’s Cake Release).
In a large bowl – using electric mixer – mix 2 sticks softened butter, 2 cups sugar and 4 eggs until well blended. (About a minute.) Add 3 cups flour,1 tsp. vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp. almond extract, and, again, mix until blended.

Spread about three-quarters of the batter in the pan. On top of the batter, spread the entire can of fruit pie filling.  ++ Be sure to put about 3/4s of the batter on the bottom of the pan – or – the middle may not cook properly!

Drop large spoonfuls of the batter on top of the pie filling. (The spoonfuls of dough won’t cover the whole top – the fruit should peek through.) With your fingers, pat down the dough a bit to flatten it out.   Bake at 350 F for 50 – 55 minutes.   Enjoy!

++  My friend Naomi recently made Quick and Easy Cherry Squares.  I think I’m gonna have some blogging competition if I don’t watch out!  

Great job Naomi – glad your & your husband enjoyed them!