Cooking Thursday

When we had our lunch at the park on Sunday, Laura brought something along for dessert that she knew Bob would like.  It's a really old recipe.  When I was in 9th grade, I worked for my science teacher in the summer.  He was starting a Strawberry Farm, and I helped plant and weed the fields.  His wife was very good to us - there were 6 kids working for him.  She made a snack and drink for us every day.  This recipe is one that she made and shared with me way back then.  The name of it is Thank You Squares, named for the Thank You Cherry Pie filling it uses, but Laura's friends started calling them Friendship squares because she made it for their group of friends frequently.  Regardless of the name - they are good!  They are pretty too, so are nice to give away.

Thank You Squares

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon almond flavoring
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 can cherry pie filling (may use another flavor)

Cream together butter, sugar and eggs until light and fluffy.  Stir in almond flavoring, flour and baking powder until well mixed.
Pour into greased 15x10 pan. Cut into 24 squares before baking. Drop 1 tablespoon cherry pie filling in the center of each square. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  When cool, dust with powdered sugar and store in the refrigerator.