Pineapple Squares

Pineapple Squares – an old time, no-bake Newfoundland Cookie Bar recipe thats been updated with a bit of a reinvention and a new flavour addition. Pineapple Squares People have been asking for years for the old version of this Pineapple Squares recipe but I have been reluctant to post one because I just don’t make them the old way any more. This is my attempt to fix what was a pretty flawed recipe, I think. The old recipe I had seemed to be the same one that appeared in many church ladies cookbooks in the province years ago. The squares were particularly sweet with canned pineapple mixed int creamed butter frosting which contained a raw egg. Not really a recipe I’d dare to post nowadays. What was with that raw egg anyway? It of ten caused the frosting to split and then the juice from canned pineapple made it even worse. There had to be a better way, and that egg was the first thing that had to go. Pineapple Squares This version was inspired by a local supermarket bakery where they did a version that was icing sugar based buttercream frosting at the centre mixed again with pineapple. Again, this was quite a sweet confection but I did enjoy their version. Inspiration for a new version of Pineapple Squares I put the idea of reinventing the recipe on the back burner until recently when I was making a Pecan Pineapple Carrot Cake for my friend Terry’s birthday. I always use fresh pineapple in that recipe and never really buy canned pineapple at all any more.  Pineapple Squares As I was frosting the cake, I thought that the combination of fresh sweet golden pineapple with cream cheese frosting was what made that version of carrot cake my favourite. That was the lightbulb moment. Make the frosting at the centre of the cookies, cream cheese icing! I quickly threw a batch together and popped them into the fridge to set firmly overnight. The next morning I topped them with vanilla whipped cream and they cut perfectly. They are quite a rich, sweet treat; the centre reminds me of a pineapple fudge in it’s texture really. On the upside, a small portion is actually enough to satisfy any sweet tooth craving. Pineapple Squares Beyond Pineapple Squares The same recipe was also used in the past with chopped peaches and even mandarin orange pieces,. I may just give the peach version a whirl with this recipe the next time around. If you liked this recipe you many want to check out this great collection of other No Bake Cookies that was incredibly popular during our last Holiday season. No Bake Cookies Like this Pineapple Squares recipe? Be sure to browse the photo index of over 200 cookie and cookie bar recipes is in our expansive Cookies Category. To keep up with the latest home style cooking & baking ideas from Rock Recipes plus daily recipe suggestions from decadent desserts to quick delicious weekday meals, be sure to follow Rock Recipes Facebook Page and follow us on Instagram Instagram.   Print Pineapple Squares Prep Time 30 mins   Pineapple Squares - an old time, no-bake Newfoundland Cookie Bar recipe thats been updated with a bit of a reinvention and a new flavour addition. Course: Cookies/Dessert Cuisine: North American Servings: 36 cookie squares Calories: 189 kcal Ingredients For the graham crumb crust 1 2/3 cups graham crumbs 1/3 cup melted butter 3 Tbsp sugar For the pineapple frosting cetre 1/2 cup cream cheese 1/2 cup butter 5 to 6 cups icing sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 3/4 cup finely diced fresh golden pineapple well draine Vanilla Whipped Cream for the top 1 cup whipping cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 tbsp icing sugar US Customary - Metric Instructions To prepare the graham crumb base Measure the graham crumbs into a small bowl and make a small well in the centre. Pour the sugar into the well, then pour the melted butter onto the sugar. Let this stand for a couple of minutes to let the butter seep into the sugar. Then stir well to combine all ingredients together. The purpose of this step is to get a good contact between the butter and sugar. Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking pan that has been lightly greased and lined with parchment paper. To prepare the pineapple frosting centre Cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract. Slowly start adding the icing sugar a little at a time. Beat until smooth and the consistency of the frosting is very stiff. Usually you would consider it too stiff to frost a cake at this stage. Fold in the finely diced pineapple. The pineapple should be drained of all juice. I actually let mine sit in a colander lined with paper towels. Spread evenly over the prepared base and chill for several hours or overnight. To prepare the Vanilla Whipped Cream Beat together the 3 ingredients until stiff peaks form. Spread evenly over the chilled pineapple frosting layer. Store in the fridge until ready to cut and serve. Recipe Notes If you are freezing these cookie squares, I would suggest freezing them without the whipped cream topping and then adding the topping when thawed and ready to serve. Although it is not my preference, many non-dairy whipped toppings will freeze pretty well if used as the top layer. The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated. Nutrition Facts Pineapple Squares Amount Per Serving Calories 189 Calories from Fat 90 % Daily Value* Total Fat 10g 15% Saturated Fat 6g 30% Cholesterol 28mg 9% Sodium 74mg 3% Potassium 27mg 1% Total Carbohydrates 23g 8% Sugars 20g Vitamin A 6.7% Vitamin C 1.3% Calcium 1.1% Iron 1.2% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. 10% Rock Recipes Christmas $20.65 View on Amazon 3% Rock Recipes 2: More Great Food From My Newfoundland Kitchen CDN$ 24.30 View on Amazon Rock Recipes: The Best Food From My Newfoundland Kitchen $24.95 View on Amazon Rock Recipes a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Our product recommendations are almost exclusively for those we currently use or have used in the past.