Old-Fashioned Russian Squares Recipe
Russian Squares are buttery, old-fashioned fruit squares baked in a tray and finished with a sprinkle of sugar.
Ingredients
- 284 g salted butter 1¼ cup | 10 oz
- 284 g sugar 1⅓ cup | 10 oz
- 30 ml golden syrup 2 tablespoons | 1 oz
- 2 large eggs
- 510 g cake flour 4 cups | 18 oz
- 10 g baking powder 2 teaspoons | 0.35 oz
- 300 g mixed dried fruit 2 cups | 10.5 oz
- Caster sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F and line a rectangular baking tin.
- Using a mezzaluna, rock the blade over the dried fruit until finely chopped.
- In a saucepan, gently melt the butter, golden syrup and sugar together over low heat. Stir until combined.
- Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. This step is important, as it prevents the eggs from scrambling.
- Once coolish, beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Add the dried fruit.
- Gradually add the butter mixture.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared tin to a depth of about 1 inch.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and set in the centre.
- While still warm, sprinkle generously with caster sugar, then allow to cool before cutting into squares.
Notes
What is a Mezzaluna Knife?