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sharon's spice squares

Cmom02 avatar
Recipe by
Sharon Colyer
@Cmom02
Louisville, KY

I first made these, when my son was in middle school; probably the late 1980s. The recipe was a magazine clipping. I have no idea, which one it would have come from though. Slightly tweaked by me.

yield serving(s)
prep time 40 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For sharon's spice squares

  • shortening or cooking spray for greasing pan
  • 2 c
    sifted all-purpose flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp
    baking soda
  • 1 tsp
    ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp
    ground nutmeg
  • 1 c
    raisins - optional (if not using raisins, see note with next ingredient.)
  • 2 c
    boiling water (if not using raisins, add only 1/2 cup lukewarm water .)
  • 1 lg
    egg
  • 1/2 c
    vegetable shortening
  • 1 c
    sugar
  • 1/2 c
    walnuts
  • BROWN SUGAR/PENUCHE FROSTING
  • 1/2 c
    butter, melted
  • 1 c
    brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 c
    hot milk
  • 3 1/4 c
    confectioners' sugar
  • ORANGE FROSTING
  • 2 c
    sifted confectioners' sugar
  • 2 Tbsp
    orange juice
  • 1 Tbsp
    melted butter

How To Make sharon's spice squares

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13 x 2 inch pan, with shortening or cooking spray.
  • 2
    Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, onto wax paper.
  • 3
    Boil raisins (if using) rapidly, in the 2 cups of water, in an uncovered medium-size saucepan for 10 minutes. Transfer raisins and their liquid to a large bowl. Cool, to lukewarm. (If not using raisins, only use 1/2 cup of lukewarm water.) Stir in egg, then shortening and sugar; then, flour mixture; add nuts. Turn into prepared pan.
  • 4
    Bake for 25 minutes, or until tests clean with a toothpick, in center. Cool completely, in pan on wire rack. Frost and cut into 24 squares.
  • 5
    BROWN SUGAR/PENUCHE FROSTING: Melt 1/2 cup butter and add 1 cup packed brown sugar. Bring to boiling; cook, and stir 1 minute, or until slightly thick. Cool 15 minutes. Add 1/4 cup hot milk, and beat smooth. Beat in enough of the 3 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar, for spreading consistency. Frosts one sheet cake or two 8 or 9 inch layers.
  • 6
    ORANGE FROSTING: Beat 2 cups confectioners' sugar with 2 Tbs.orange juice, and 1 Tb. melted butter, in a bowl, until smooth and spreadable.
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