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grandma's fruit bars

(3 ratings)
Fairy62 avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Jean Fisher
@Fairy62
OFallon, IL

This is a fairly quick pan cookie to make. I can remember Mother making these fairly often. Yummy!!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

The aroma of these fruit bars baking is almost Christmas-like because of the cinnamon and cloves. They're an old-fashioned bar that will bring you back to Grandma's kitchen. The hint of coffee is lovely with the warm spices. They are moist and they're chock full of chewy raisins and crunchy pecans. We topped them with a simple buttercream frosting and a sprinkle of nuts. A cream cheese frosting would also be delicious.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
yield 32 serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For grandma's fruit bars

  • 1 c
    coffee
  • 1 tsp
    baking soda
  • 2 c
    brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 3/4 c
    shortening, butter flavor
  • 2 lg
    eggs
  • 3 c
    all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp
    cloves
  • 1/2 tsp
    cinnamon
  • 1 c
    raisins
  • 1/2 c
    walnut pieces, chopped

How To Make grandma's fruit bars

Test Kitchen Tips
For the frosting blend 2 sticks softened butter, 4 cups confectioners' sugar, 1/8 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 3 - 4 Tbsp water or milk.
  • Add baking soda to hot coffee.
    1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add baking soda to hot coffee. Set aside.
  • Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
    2
    Spray a 13x18 or a 12x17 cookie sheet with a lip with Pam baking spray.
  • Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs.
    3
    Cream sugar, shortening, and eggs in a mixing bowl.
  • Combine flour, cinnamon, and cloves.
    4
    Combine flour, cinnamon, and cloves in a separate bowl.
  • Combine wet and dry ingredients.
    5
    Alternatively, add dry and liquid ingredients to the creamed shortening mixture.
  • Add raisins and chopped nuts.
    6
    Add raisins and chopped nuts. You can substitute dates or candied fruit.
  • Pour batter into the pan and bake.
    7
    Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes. Check with a toothpick inserted in the center.
  • Cool completely.
    8
    Cool completely.
  • Frost with an icing and sprinkle with nuts.
    9
    Frost when cool with confectioners' frosting and sprinkle with chopped walnuts (if desired).
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!

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