Merry Fruit Squares

The other day I came across some leftover mixed fruit from Christmas time baking in the cupboard. Although this stuff will last for a year, thanks to a large amount of sugar and a multitude of preservatives (not exactly healthy stuff, but essential ingredients of fruitcakes), I don't feel like looking at it for that long. I really didn't feel like mixing up any more fruitcakes or fruit breads, as we just finished eating those. So I went looking for a different recipe that uses mixed fruit. 

I came across a tasty-sounding one in Company's Coming "150 Delicious Squares". If you have some leftover fruit, or happened to pick some up at the after-Christmas clearance sales, you should try these yummy squares!

Merry Fruit Squares
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated (white) sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup glazed cut mixed fruit  
1/4 cup dates, chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

*I used about 2/3 cup each of chopped mixed peel and glazed mixed fruit, because that's what I had. I didn't use any nuts.

In a large bowl, beat eggs until they are thick and increased in volume. Add the sugar and continue beating. Beat in vanilla. Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Pour into greased (or lined) 8x8 inch square pan. Bake at 350◦F for about 30 minutes until set. Cool and cut into squares. Freezes well.

These squares are quite soft in texture, almost cake-like. They are sweet, moist, and just a little sticky. They are chock full of delicious fruit. The batter is very basic, simply eggs, sugar, vanilla, flour. The recipe suggests you could add an icing, but the squares really don't need it. They would make a colorful addition to a dessert plate any day. They are very quick to whip up - just one bowl. And they cut very easily. Yum!

Paré, Jean. "Merry Fruit Squares." Recipe. 150 Delicious Squares, Edmonton Alberta: Company's Coming Publishing Limited, 1981. 95.