Blackberry Squares

On our recent picnic at Mt. Rainier National Park, I made Blackberry Squares for dessert. 

This is a recipe passed down from my Dear Mother. 

Originally the recipe called for crushed pineapple in the filling, but I adapted it to use blackberries, which are plentiful here in the Pacific Northwest.

I will give you both versions. 

Blackberry Squares

 makes 12 large or 24 small squares.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Pastry:

2 cups Vegetable Shortening, such as Crisco

5 cups all purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 tsp salt

Combine Crisco, flour and salt with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 

Add milk and blend together until mixture forms dough. 

Roll out 1/2 of dough on a floured board to fit a 11" x 17 " jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with sides. 

Use a large pastry roller to transfer the dough. 

Simply loosen the pastry from the board with a large spatula all around and then beginning at one end, roll the dough onto the pastry roller. 

Place the end of the rolled dough onto the end of the cookie sheet and unroll. 

This dough is very forgiving and can be pinched back together if it tears. 

Filling:

2 pints fresh or thawed frozen blackberries (approx. 4 cups)

(If using fresh berries, crush lightly with a potato masher to release the juices).

Or: 2 lg cans crushed pineapple (approx. 4 cups)

2 Tbsp Minute Tapioca

1 cup sugar

Combine fruit with Tapioca in medium saucepan and let sit for 15 min. 

Add sugar and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until boiling and thickened. 

Boil for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously. 

Cool. (Place in freezer for 15 - 20 minutes for rapid cooling)

Pour cooled filling onto bottom crust in pan. 

Spread evenly to edges of crust. 

Roll out remaining pastry and place over filling, crimping edges and cutting slits to allow steam to escape. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. 

While hot, spread with glaze.

Glaze:

Mix together

1 cup confectioner's sugar

3 Tbsp water

Cool completely and cut into squares. 

These keep for several days if refrigerated. They also freeze well. 

If you have any leftovers, that is!

xoxo

Enjoy!

P.S. Don't take these hiking with you! You will surely attract bears! 

xoxo