Christmas Squares Food

CANADA SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper; crease corners well.
• Whisk together 1 cup flour and 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar; cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Pat mixture evenly into prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes; remove to cool on a wire rack, about 15 minutes. Top base evenly with raspberry jam.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Beat white sugar and 1/2 cup butter together until fluffy; beat in eggs until fluffy and pale yellow. Beat rice flour into egg mixture until well combined; stir in food coloring until batter reaches desired shade of red. Spread batter evenly over jam layer.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool completely in the pan; about 20 minutes.
• Beat 2 cups confectioners' sugar and 1/3 cup butter together in a bowl with an electric mixer until smooth; stir in milk and maple extract. Spread icing evenly over cooled bars.
• Hold edges of parchment paper; lift squares out of pan to a cutting board. Slice into 1-inch squares with a very sharp knife.

CHRISTMAS CITRUS SQUARES

Steps:

• Butter a 9 by 12 1/2-inch baking pan. Line pan with foil and leave about 2 inches extra on all sides. Butter the foil.
• Whisk the flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a bowl.
• In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with a hand mixer, beat the butter with the sugar on medium, until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Turn mixer to low speed, add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overwork the dough.
• Transfer dough to prepared pan, spreading it out evenly across the pan and pressing to make a 1/4-inch thick covering over the bottom of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap, then press and flatten using your hands over the top to smooth and even out the dough. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Remove the plastic from the top of the dough and prick the dough with a fork or a wooden skewer. Bake the crust until just golden, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the jelly in the microwave until soft enough to spread, about 1 minute. Spread the jelly with a pastry brush or an offset spatula over the crust. Return to the oven and cook another 10 minutes. Cool crust completely on a wire rack, 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, yolks, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, flour, and salt together in a medium bowl. Beat until thick and slightly pale. Stir in the citrus juices and zest, and whisk gently to blend well.
• Pour the filling onto the cooled crust and bake until the filling is firm but still loose and wobbly in the center, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight before cutting.
• Remove bars from refrigerator and dip the bottom of it in warm water to soften the butter and release the foil from the sides of the pan. Use foil to lift pastry out of the baking pan and transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut into about 50 1 1/2-inch squares, wiping down the knife with a hot, wet towel between cuts. Top each square with a tiny triangular segment of clementine or blood orange (with the peel on) and serve.

CHRISTMAS MINCEMEAT SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375F; grease a 13x9 pan and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar and baking soda.
• Stir in melted butter and mix together until mixture appears crumbly.
• Firmly pat half the crumb mixture into prepared pan, then cover evenly with mincemeat.
• Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over mincemeat and pat lightly.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until squares appear golden brown.
• Cool before cutting into squares.

CHRISTMAS PIZZA SQUARES

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet, heat butter and oil; add onion. Cook and stir over low heat until onion is caramelized, 30-35 minutes. In another skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; set aside., Sprinkle cornmeal into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Press pizza dough into pan; prick dough with a fork. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Top with the beef, caramelized onion, cheese, red peppers, tomato and olives. Bake until cheese is melted, 10-12 minutes longer. Cut into squares; serve warm.

CHRISTMAS RICE KRISPIES SQUARES

Steps:

• In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
• Add vanilla and stir.
• mix both cereal in a bowl and add cereal to marshmallow mixture. Stir until well coated.
• Using wet hands press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.