Wisconsin Peanut Squares

 

Every time I come home from visiting Mac Daddy’s family in Wisconsin I need to detox. I eat my weight in kneecaps and peanut squares. I also indulge in local beer. Can you blame me? After 15 years of visiting Wisconsin, you’d think I would know how to pack better. Skinny jeans, regardless the amount of stretch, are the wrong choice for visiting my husband’s family. I knew I should have hung on to those maternity buffet pants! 

Ages ago when we were between trips home to Wisconsin, I whined so much for peanut squares that Mac Daddy tried to make some at home in North Carolina. Suffice it to say that the Wisconsin air must be the magic ingredient because there was something awry in the recipe. It’s probably best for my waistline to have a few states separate me from those delightful peanut squares anyway.

After some and nagging (on my part) and hunting (on my niece’s part), I got some old family recipes for peanut squares. I’ve chosen to share this particular one with you because it was my sister-in-law’s recipe. She passed away years ago, and every time we go home to Wisconsin I miss her giggle and regret that my boys never got to be enveloped in Aunt Beth’s embrace. If had had a daughter, her middle name would have been Beth.

Peanut Squares (I’ve copied everything word-for-word from Beth’s handwritten recipe card.)

Cake:
4 eggs
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 cup milk
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups self-rising flour

Beat eggs, add sugar and flour. Let milk and butter heat to just short of boil. Add to egg mixture. Add vanilla. 9 x 13 pan (spray). 35o degrees 30-35 minutes. 

When cool, cut in squares and freeze. 

Frosting:
1 lb powdered sugar
1 lb ground salted peanuts
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup Crisco
3 Tbsp flour

Mix everything but peanuts. Add hot water to make thin frosting. Roll frosted cake in peanuts and put on foil. Enjoy!

 

Beth’s house was the number one place on my list to visit on our trips back to America’s Dairyland. She was not only delightful and funny, she was a fantastic cook. Her fridge was full of goodies, and since I didn’t grow up with scratch, homemade baking and had no idea how to do it on my own, she spoiled me and compensated for all my years without fresh cookies, cakes, you name it. Beth made an delectable baked French toast that Mac Daddy makes on Christmas morning. My metabolism was Nascar fast in those days. Beth used to marvel at how much I could eat. She was always a gracious hostess and even forgave us for spoiling her dog Winnie when we dogsat. Winnie took up the WHOLE bed, and Mac Daddy and I still laugh about the look on Beth’s face when we told her. Apparently the dog wasn’t supposed to sleep on the bed. Ahem.

Anyway, I hope you make these peanut squares for the people you love. I believe in the power of food to show love and kindness. It’s been said that Beth always brought these peanut squares to every funeral she attended. It sounds just like her.