Barbara’s Dessert Squares

Barbara’s Dessert Squares

This is a fast and easy dessert to put in the oven about an hour before dinner so the melting ice cream I’m sure you will want on this will melt a bit into the little cakes. Hey, I would condone a serious helping of freshly whipped cream, too, if you felt so inclined!

1/3 cup softened butter (no margarine, please!)
1 cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Cream together the butter, sugar, and ½ teaspoon of salt in a mixing bowl until combined. Add the eggs and beat until light an fluffy. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder. Combine the vanilla, milk, and grated zest. Add to the butter mixture alternately until just combined and smooth. Stir in the walnuts to distribute evenly.

Vegetable oil spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. I like the glass Pyrex baking dishes but any pan will work. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking pan and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until it springs back when gently touched in the center.

When partly cooled down, dust with powdered sugar. If you have a small strainer, this works well for evenly distributing the sugar easily on the cake. Cut into squares and serve.