Pineapple Squares

My grandmother always kept this cake in the freezer for unexpected company. A nice change of dessert from the usual bar or square recipe. Garnish with icing sugar sprinkled over the top if desired.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 168 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 (8 ounce) cans crushed pineapple, drained and juice reserved

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until coarse crumbs form.

Step 3

Whisk milk, egg, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl. Add to flour mixture and knead until just combined, adding a little more flour if too wet or a little more milk if too dry. Divide the dough into thirds; 2/3 will be for the bottom, save 1/3 for the top.

Step 4

Roll 2/3 the dough out onto a lightly floured surface into an 11x15-inch rectangle. Place dough into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan, making sure it comes at least halfway up the sides.

Step 5

Combine pineapple and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, pour reserved pineapple juice into a bowl and add cornstarch; stir until dissolved. Add to the saucepan and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes more. Remove from heat and let filling cool in the refrigerator, about 15 minutes.

Step 6

Scrape filling onto the bottom dough in the baking pan and smooth out.

Step 7

Roll remaining 1/3 dough out onto a lightly floured surface into a 9x13-inch rectangle. Roll the dough onto the rolling pin and unroll on top of the pineapple filling, making sure edges of the dough reach the edges of the pan.

Step 8

Combine flour and sugar in a small bowl. Add vanilla extract and cut in butter until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle streusel topping over dough.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack. Cut into 24 squares.