Easy Gumdrop Squares

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Easy Gumdrop Squares

Our annual November Cookie Blitz is off to a colorful and delicious start with a family favorite; gumdrop squares. These are soft and chewy with colorful candy bursts and a creamy vanilla frosting. They are also exceptionally good for the freezer but you'd better get them in there ASAP, especially of there are hungry little ones in the house. They are going to love these.

Easy Gumdrop Squares

Recipe by Barry C. Parsons

Ideal for the holiday freezer, these easy cookie squares are quick to prepare, freeze exceptionally well and are always a hit with kids of all ages.

Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Yield: 25 cookie squares
Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp lemon extract
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• ½ cup fine unsweetened coconut (optional)
• 3/4 cup baking gumdrops, cut in half
• FOR THE FROSTING
• 2 cups icing sugar (powdered sugar)
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 -2 tbsp milk

Directions

1. Cream butter sugar and vanilla until light and fluff.
2. Add the eggs, vanilla and lemon extracts and beat well.
3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda (and coconut if you are using it)
4. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, folding to combine well.
5. Fold in the chopped gumdrops
6. Spread in a parchment lined or greased 9 inch square baking pan and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees F. (325 for glass bake ware)
7. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Frost with vanilla frosting.
9. For the vanilla frosting beat together the butter, icing sugar, vanilla and milk until, light, fluffy and of a good spreadable consistency. Add the milk only a little at a time until the proper consistency is achieved.
10. Spread over the cooled cookies and cut into squares or bars.
11. These freeze very well in airtight containers.