Holiday Strawberry Squares

Okay. This recipe may not be the healthiest most sustainable, seasonal, vegan dessert or even what most people would consider traditional holiday fare. However, it has become a regular Christmas staple in our household and like most traditions, it has a story attached to it.

Nothing dramatic really, but about 15 years ago, I was experiencing one of those ‘blue’ Christmases that Elvis sings about - all lonely and weepy and not much fun. My friends took turns trying to keep me from total despair and I found myself slumped on a stool in my dear friend Roberta’s kitchen a couple of days before Christmas. I was a bit like a dry sack of flour so putting me to work baking seemed like a natural progression. I slowly became animated as she was busily preparing her family’s favorite holiday dessert, strawberry squares.

Maybe it was the sugar, but I perked up and my entire holiday spirit shifted to one of good cheer from that moment on and without much discussion or fanfare, we try to get together in her kitchen every year a few days before Christmas to repeat this yummy and fun ritual. Now we make a double batch of these delicious treats and my family has adopted a love for them now too.

Thank you Roberta!

Being in the kitchen with friends can often produce miracles. So, if you are feeling blue or blah this holiday season or if you know any friends that might be, get into the kitchen with someone you love and bake some cheer!

Cheer-Up-Any-Scrooge Strawberry Squares

Ingredients:

1 c. flour
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. butter (melted)
1 c. whipping cream
2 egg whites
2/3 c. sugar (1 c. if using fresh strawberries)
10 oz. frozen strawberries (or 2 c. fresh)
2 Tbs. lemon juice

Instructions:

Crust & Crumbly Topping

Preheat oven to 350. Combine the first 4 ingredients to a nice semi-dry crumbly consistency (add flour if needed), which is best done by using your hands to mix. Then spread on a large cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until crumbs are golden brown. Put 2/3s of the crumbs in the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. (my family LOVES the crumbly bits, so I usually increase this part of the recipe so I have a lot more for the top)

Filling

Whip up your cream. In a separate bowl whip egg whites, sugar, strawberries and lemon juice for about 10 minutes till you get stiff peaks. (yes, strawberries can still be frozen - they usually break up)
Fold the whipped cream into the strawberry whip and then put into pan. Even out as best you can and distribute rest of crumbs on top.

Cover and freeze. It keeps nicely for a week or two.

eat. blog. be merry!

PS - No. that is NOT myself or Roberta in the image above!

Please feel free to reach out to us, through this blog or visit us at our own site to learn more about The Green Divas Radio Show, relevant events and upcoming guests – TheGreenDivas.com.

|  Print This

Tags: recipe | NJM Recipe Box

Tools: Share | Ask a question