Best 5 New England Squares Recipes

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New England Squares, also known as Yankee Squares, are a classic American dessert with a history dating back to the 19th century. These delightful treats feature a base of graham cracker crumbs, topped with a layer of creamy filling and a generous layer of chocolate ganache. The result is a rich, decadent dessert with a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the process of creating the perfect New England Squares, providing you with tips and tricks to ensure a successful outcome.

Let's cook with our recipes!

NEW ENGLAND SQUARES



New England Squares image

Even those folks that don't usually like mincemeat will like these. My mother used to make them at Christmas when we were little. Like a lot kids, I would never eat mincemeat pie, but I really loved these!

Provided by Denise in da Kitchen

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 40m

Yield 24 squares

Number Of Ingredients 3

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 1/3 cups ready-to-use mincemeat (I use the kind in a jar, or you can use your own home-made)
1 (15 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Steps:

  • Blend crumbs, mincemeat and condensed milk together.
  • Turn into a well-greased 9 x 13-inch pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Let cool in pan before cutting.

FIG SQUARES



Fig Squares image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 2h20m

Number Of Ingredients 13

6 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 pound unsalted butter, slightly softened, plus 1 pound cold, unsalted butter
3/4 cup cold water
2 pounds soft, dried figs, stems removed
1/2- pound dark raisins
1/2-pound pitted prunes
1/2-pound sugar (1 cup)
1/2-cup light corn syrup
3 lemons, zested
2 cups water
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, soft

Steps:

  • For baking: 1 egg, beaten For dough, in a large mixing bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add 1/4 pound soft butter and work finely into flour. Cut cold butter into 1/2 pieces and add to bowl. Work in until butter is left pea-sized. Drizzle water over mixture and toss in. If dough is dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed. Dough should be loose in bowl, not in a ball. Turn out onto work surface and pull together. Divide into 2 equal portions, flatten each slightly, and wrap in plastic. Chill at least 1 hour before rolling. (Refrigerate up to 3 days, freeze up to 6 months.) For the fig filling, in a large saucepan, combine all but 1/3 of the grated zest and butter, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until fruit is soft and liquid thickened. Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth. Add butter and puree to blend. Add remaining zest and pulse in. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool. To assemble and bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 11 by 17-inch baking sheet (up to 12 x18) with parchment paper. Remove one of the wrapped pieces of dough from the refrigerator and unwrap. Roll dough on a floured surface into a rectangle to fit the bottom and sides of the baking sheet. Line the sheet with the dough. Place the baking sheet in the freezer while the second piece of dough is rolled out in the same way. Remove baking sheet from freezer and spread fig filling evenly over the surface of the dough. Top with the second sheet of dough and pinch the edges to seal. Trim the excess dough. Brush surface of dough with beaten egg. Prick through the top layer of dough with a fork evenly over the surface (about 1 1/2 apart.) Place baking sheet on bottom rack of oven. Bake 25 to35 minutes, until dough is a light-medium golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Cut into portions (squares are traditional.)

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE CRUMBLE SQUARES



Pumpkin Cheesecake Crumble Squares image

This reicpe comes from Bon Apetite's 50th Anniversary Issue. The recipe looks kinda long, but it's very simple and the results are fabulous. I usually share my desert with folks at work, but not these...I kept them all to myself. Please try them! You won't be dissapointed!

Provided by Mrs Goodall

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 1h50m

Yield 16 squares

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup golden brown sugar (packed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
1 cup pecan halves (about 4 ounces)
3/4 cup old fashioned oats
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup pumpkin puree, canned
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • FOR CRUST:.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Generously butter 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan.
  • Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
  • Using on/off turns, blend first 4 ingredients in processor until coarse meal forms.
  • Add pecans; using on/off turns process until nuts are chopped.
  • Add oats, process using on/off turns until mixture is moistened but not clumping.
  • Press 3 1/2 cups crumbs onto bottom of prepared square pan (do not clean processor).
  • Transfer remaining crumbs to lined baking sheet.
  • Bake crumbs on sheet until golden, stirring once, about 12 minutes.
  • Cool crumbs. Bake crust until golden about 30 minutes.
  • Remove from oven while preparing filling.
  • Maintain oven temperature.
  • FOR FILLING:.
  • Blend all ingredients in same processor unti smooth.
  • Spread filling over warm crust;bake until set, dry in center, and beginning to rise at edges, about 20 minutes.
  • Maintain oven temperature.
  • FOR TOPPING:.
  • Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Spread evernly over hot filling. Bake until topping sets and bubbles at edges, about 5 minutes.
  • Cool completely in pan on rack. Sprinkle crumbs over topping; gently press into topping.
  • Cover;chill until cold, about 2 hours.
  • Cut into squares.
  • *Can be made 2 days ahead.
  • ENJOY!

EASY NEW ZEALAND SQUARES



Easy New Zealand Squares image

Chewy, sweet, wonderful treat from my mother-in-law.

Provided by ZAYASMOM

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Fruit Cookie Recipes     Date

Time 50m

Yield 9

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped dates
½ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup butter
1 tablespoon golden syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup flaked coconut

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan.
  • In a large bowl, combine flour, 1 cup coconut, dates, sugar and baking powder. In a saucepan, melt butter, golden syrup and vanilla. Pour over mixture in bowl. Mix until crumbly, then press into prepared pan.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle top with 1/8 cup coconut.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280 calories, Carbohydrate 41.9 g, Cholesterol 13.6 mg, Fat 12.6 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 2.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.7 g, Sodium 88.1 mg, Sugar 25.8 g

SCRUMPTIOUS FIG SQUARES



Scrumptious Fig Squares image

If you thought you didn't like anything with dried figs in it - you haven't tried these!!! Like Fig-Newtons, only better.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 2h

Yield 40 squares

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 kg dried fig
1 cup fresh orange juice
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg white, beaten to blend
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon sugar

Steps:

  • For filling: Finely chop figs in processor (do not puree).
  • Combine with juice, sugar and peel in small saucepan.
  • Simmer until thickened to consistency of jam, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and mix in vanilla and cinnamon.
  • Cool completely.
  • For pastry: Preheat oven to 350F (160C).
  • Line 9 x 13 inch pyrex baking dish with foil.
  • Cream butter with mixer until light; add sugar and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
  • Combine flour, cornstarch and salt in small bowl to blend.
  • Add to butter until mixture just starts to come together.
  • Separate in half.
  • Press one half into pan, just coming up sides slightly.
  • Brush pastry edges with egg white.
  • Spread filling over pastry, leaving a ¼ inch border.
  • Crumble remaining pastry evenly over pan, and lightly pat down with hands, bringing to edge of pan.
  • Combine 2 tblsps sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon.
  • Brush pastry crust with remaining egg white and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar.
  • Bake until crust around edge is firm to the touch and pastry just begins to colour, about 1 hour, 20 minutes.
  • Cool on rack.
  • Remove pastry from pan, using foil as aid.
  • Cut into 1 ½ inch squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 163.8, Fat 7.1, SaturatedFat 4.4, Cholesterol 18.3, Sodium 92.7, Carbohydrate 24.4, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 14.1, Protein 1.5

Tips:

  • Use room temperature ingredients. This will ensure that your ingredients mix together smoothly and evenly.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will incorporate air into the mixture, making your squares light and airy.
  • Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help to prevent the mixture from curdling.
  • Sift the flour and baking powder together before adding it to the wet ingredients. This will help to ensure that the squares are light and tender.
  • Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the squares tough.
  • Bake the squares in a preheated oven. This will help to ensure that they bake evenly.
  • Let the squares cool completely before frosting them. This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.

Conclusion:

New England squares are a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a little creativity, you can create a variety of different flavors and combinations. So next time you are looking for a sweet treat, give New England squares a try. You won't be disappointed!

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