Mennonite Girls Can Cook is a collection of recipes which were posted daily for a period of ten years from 2008 to 2018. We have over 3,000 delicious recipes that we invite you to try. The recipes can be accessed in our recipe file by category or you can use the search engine.

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Cherry Squares


I got this recipe more than 25 years ago from a sweet elderly neighbor and it has become a yearly must for our family; a favorite of one of our kids. The texture is somewhat like a butter tart and I cut the pieces quite small, so it' s like eating a little candy bar.

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 1/3 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cups butter, room temperature
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ¼ cups brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1/2 cup maraschino cherries
Method:
  1. With pastry blender, cut butter into flour and brown sugar until well mixed. It will be moist and crumbly.
  2. Press into ungreased 9x13 inch pan. (one that has a lid, makes it easy for storage later)
  3. Bake at 350° F for about 12 min.
  4. In the meantime, beat eggs slightly, add combined sugar, flour and baking powder,
    then the rest of the ingredients.
  5. Spread over baked layer.
  6. Return to oven and bake for 20 - 25 minutes, until golden brown.
Icing:
  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soft butter or margarine
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 – 6 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
  1. Beat together in small bowl to make a smooth spreadable frosting. 
  2. Spread over cooled cake. 
  3. Cut into 36 - 48 squares. (a wet knife helps) I cut them up before freezing and then I can lift out what I need for a cookie platter.

Cover with lid or slip into plastic bag and freeze.

Chocolate Almond Roca Slice

Many years ago, a friend showed up at a Christmas party bearing a tray of these thin and tasty treats.  She explained that she had no Christmas baking in her freezer...but this was one recipe she could whip up and bring on the spur of the moment. The almond roca squares were soon gone and she went home with an empty tray...but she left the recipe behind.  I have made these many a Christmas since...though I am sure they would be good at any time of the year! 


  • 1 package graham wafers
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
  • 1 cup butter (the real thing)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
  1. Line 11 x 17 inch bar pan with parchment paper.
  2. Lay graham wafers in bar pan, cutting crackers to fit snugly.
  3. Sprinkle with almonds and set aside.
  4. Put butter and brown sugar in a saucepan, and bring to a boil while stirring.
  5. Pour carefully over the almond/wafer base.
  6. Place in a 350° F oven for 8-10 minutes, or until bubbly all over.
  7. Remove from oven and sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.
  8. Let sit for a minute to melt the chocolate. 
  9. Then run tines of a fork through the chips to spread.
  10. Cool to room temperature.
  11. Place in freezer for 10-15 minutes to harden chocolate topping.
  12. Invert the pan onto a cutting board, and cut between wafers with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.  

Enjoy!