Gerhild's Raisin Squares

➤ by Oma Gerhild Fulson

These raisin squares, similar to Hermit Squares, bring a warm, spicy fragrance to the kitchen. Because it's not a traditional German recipe, you may wonder why it is featured here. Check out Oma's Quickies to find out why. Quick and easy, this is a great bar recipe to use for Bake Sales and Potlucks. 

With its spicy aroma, these Rosinenschnitten great at Christmas as well. Covered with a lemon butter icing, I alter it using almond flavoring instead - a mock marzipan flavor - hence, a German twist. With the "German twist" that I love, and the raisins that he loves, these "Raisin Spice Bars" are a hit. 

Gerhild's Raisin Squares

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raisins
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp allspice
  
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp water
• 1 cup flour, all purpose
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1½ tbsp lemon juice or 1 tsp almond extract

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 8" x 8" pan.
• Put first 8 ingredients into large pot. Bring to boil, lower heat, and simmer gently for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
• Mix baking soda and 2 tsp of water in a small bowl. Stir into raisin mixture.
• Let raisin mixture cool. I've placed the pot into cold water to speed this up.
• Mix together flour and baking powder. Stir into raisin mixture. Mix well.
• Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes until set.
• Let cool in pan on wire rack.
• In mixing bowl, beat powdered sugar, butter, and lemon juice (or almond extract) until smooth, adding more juice (or water) until spreading consistency.
• Spread over cooled raisin squares. Cuts into 16 squares.

Hints:

• If you want thinner and more squares (as shown in the picture), then use a 9" x 9" pan. This only takes about 15 - 20 minutes to bake. Cuts into 25 squares.

Now, personally, I'm really not a fan of raisins.

When given a choice in a recipe between adding raisins or nuts, for example, I'll always choose nuts.

However, my hubby loves raisins. One of his favorite "Canadian" recipes is raisin pie.

And, because I do love my hubby, I'll add raisins, just for him! That's why this recipe is so nice. With the "German twist" that I love, and the raisins that he loves, these "Rosinenschnitten" are a hit. 

What a pretty presentation this makes. Using sliced strawberries on top of the icing, it adds color and a taste of freshness.

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Some yummy German Desserts ...

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