This recipe for Prairie Berry Squares is an old Mennonite recipe shared by my friend Ingrid Friesen. It was her Mom’s before her and so on. A real family treasure. And, the kind of recipe I love as it’s easy and turns out every time.
Ingrid and I used to rent cabins side by side for a decade out in the Okanagan. Naturally, over the years, we started cooking the evening meal together for our families. This is a recipe Ingrid could make blindfolded. And, ever since she introduced us to it, it’s been a keeper in my repertoire of quick and easy go-to recipes.
I love these Prairie Berry Squares so much, I made them to serve at a book signing my friend Wendy Brownie (pictured with me above) held at her store, Inspirati Fine Linens and Home Essentials, on the occasion of the launch of my new cookbook, Eat Alberta First. The recipe is in the cookbook. I am sharing it here as well because I’ve been making it a lot now that it is berry season. Should you wish to buy the cookbook, you can find the bookseller stocking it, closest to you, here. But otherwise, just Savour it All. I sure do.
PrintPrairie Berry Squares
Fresh or frozen berries both work well when baked on this shortbread crust and topped with coconut and custard.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 squares
- Category: dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: canadian
Ingredients
2 cups flour + 1 Tablespoon (divided 2 cups then 1 Tablespoon)
Pinch of salt
1½ cups sugar divided (½ then 1 cup)
1 cup softened butter (plus a bit more for the baking pan)
2 cups fresh or frozen berries (Use enough saskatoons, haskaps, sea buckthorn, blueberries, huckleberries – or mixture of above – to cover the crust in a single layer)
1 cup coconut
3 eggs (beaten)
2 Tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and butter the baking pan.
- Use a pastry blender or your hands to mix the flour, salt, ½ cup sugar and butter until butter is completely distributed. Then spread it evenly in the baking pan and press it down to form a crust.
- Cover the crust with the one type of berry or a mixture of your choice.
- Sprinkle the berries with the coconut.
- Mix the remaining 1 cup of sugar and 1 Tablespoon flour with the beaten eggs and the melted butter and pour it over the coconut layer.
- Place on the middle rack in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool in the pan, cut into squares and enjoy as a quick and easy dessert anytime you need one.
Keywords: Prairie Berry Squares
