A delicious Pineapple dessert recipe from my grandmother, who made these Pineapple Squares for many, many years. Combine the fresh taste of crushed pineapple in a flaky, tender crust with a sweet, creamy frosting for a wonderful, unique, Pineapple Squares Recipe.
Pineapple Squares Recipe
My grandmother made this recipe for so many functions when we were growing up! I have no idea where the recipe came from (she passed away over 25 years ago, so I cannot ask her), but I can tell you I have never seen this particular recipe online. And I looked. I wanted to make it a few years ago, and swore I had it in my recipe file. When I could not find it, I went on an internet search that led nowhere fast. I finally called my niece who sent me pictures of her copy of the recipe.
My grandmother was a hoot for directions. Ever speak to someone who was born 100 (or so) years ago about a recipe? It was always “little bit” of this, or “that much” while they pointed to their palms. As you can see the “enough milk for consistency” is straight from that mold, and what are in my grandmother’s directions.
I do have to say that this is fabulous when well chilled! It almost changes texture and taste, making the leftovers better than the fresh Pineapple Squares. If you can, refrigerate the entire dessert before cutting. While not necessary for the finished product, it will taste even better cold!
Tips for Making Pineapple Squares Recipe
● Do not get overly concerned about rolling the dough as one solid piece. What I do is make it fit in the jelly roll pan, and then if holes or tears form, pinch the dough together to close them.
● Your baked pineapple square pastry need to be completely cooled before frosting.
● For my UK and Australian friends: confectioners sugar is icing sugar (powdered sugar, 10x).
● Make certain the cream cheese for your frosting is at room temperature.
● If at all possible, refrigerate before serving. It takes far better when cold!
● Interested in making your own vanilla extract? Click here to learn how to make vanilla extract!
● For more delicious dessert recipes try this Strawberry Jello Poke Cake Recipe or this terrific Orange Creamsicle Cake Recipe
Pineapple Squares Recipe Ingredients:
Pineapple Squares Recipe Crust Ingredients:
● 4½ cups Flour
● 1¼ tsp Salt
● 1¾ cups Shortening
● 1 cup Cold Milk
Pineapple Squares Recipe Filling Ingredients:
● 2 cans Crushed Pineapple (20oz)
● 7 TBSP Tapioca
● 1 cup Sugar
Pineapple Squares Recipe Frosting Ingredients:
● 8 oz Cream Cheese, at room temperature
● 4 TBSP Butter, softened
● 3 Cups Confectioners Sugar (1 lb)
● 1 tsp Vanilla
● 1 TBSP Milk (enough milk to make for the desired consistency)
● Chopped walnuts or cut up maraschino cherries for garnish.
Pineapple Squares Mise en Place:
● Measuring Cup
● Measuring Spoons
● Pastry Cutter
● Bowls
● Jelly Roll Pan (10×15)
● Rolling Pin
● Spatula
● Stand Mixer, bowl and beaters.
Pineapple Squares Recipe Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Combine flour and salt, cut in shortening.
3. Add cold milk to the crust, combine to make a crust (as you would a pie crust).
4. Divide crust dough into two balls.
5. Roll one crust ball very thin so you have a large enough piece to fit into a 15″x 10″ jelly roll pan.
6. Place that one crust into the jelly roll pan. Make sure it covers the whole pan and up the sides with enough leftover for later crimping. Set aside.
7. Combine together 2 cans crushed pineapple, 7 tablespoons of tapioca and 1 cup of sugar to make the filling.
8. Pour the pineapple mixture into the prepared crust in the jelly roll pan.
9. Roll out the second ball of dough, cover the pineapple mixture in the pan, and crimp the edges.
10. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 45 minutes (to an hour). You want your crust LIGHTLY browned on the edges.
11. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
12. To make the frosting combine the room temperature cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl. Beat on low until combined. Slowly add your confectioner’s sugar, alternating with cold milk. I wrote down 1 TBSP of cold milk, but unless your cream cheese is very wet, you will probably need a tad more to get a smooth and creamy frosting. My Grandmother’s directions are actually: “* enough milk for desired consistency.”
13. Frost pineapple squares when completely cool.
14. Top frosting with chopped walnuts or maraschino cherry pieces.
15. Note: this is FAR better when cold. I would suggest chilling before serving. The leftovers are astonishingly good!
16. Refrigerate leftovers.
Pineapple Squares Recipe
Pineapple Squares Recipe. A delicious Pineapple dessert recipe from my grandmother, who made these Pineapple Squares for many, many years. Combine the fresh taste of crushed pineapple in a flaky, tender crust with a sweet, creamy frosting for a wonderful, unique, Pineapple Squares Recipe.
Ingredients
- 4½ cups Flour
- 1¼ tsp Salt
- 1¾ cups Shortening
- 1 cup Cold Milk
- 2 20 ounce cans Crushed Pineapple
- 7 TBSP Tapioca
- 1 cup Sugar
- 8 oz Cream Cheese, at room temperature
- 4 TBSP Butter, softened
- 3 Cups Confectioner’s Sugar (1 lb)
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1 TBSP Milk (enough milk to make for a desired consistency)
- Chopped walnuts or cut up maraschino cherries for garnish.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Combine flour and salt, cut in shortening.
- Add cold milk to the crust, combine to make a crust (as you would a pie crust).
- Divide crust dough into two balls.
- Roll one crust ball very thin so you have a large enough piece to fit into a 15″x 10″ jelly roll pan.
- Place that one crust into the jelly roll pan. Make sure it covers the whole pan and up the sides with enough leftover for later crimping. Set aside.
- Combine together 2 cans of crushed pineapple, 7 tablespoons of tapioca, and 1 cup of sugar to make the filling.
- Pour the pineapple mixture into the prepared crust in the jelly roll pan.
- Roll out the second ball of dough, cover the pineapple mixture in the pan, and crimp the edges.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 45 minutes (to an hour). You want your crust LIGHTLY browned on the edges.
- Allow to cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting combine the room temperature cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl. Beat on low until combined. Slowly add your confectioner’s sugar, alternating with cold milk. I wrote down 1 TBSP of cold milk, but unless your cream cheese is very wet, you will probably need a tad more to get a smooth and creamy frosting. My Grandmother’s directions are actually: "* enough milk for desired consistency."
- Frost pineapple squares when completely cool.
- Top frosting with chopped walnuts or maraschino cherry pieces.
- Note: this is FAR better when cold. I would suggest chilling before serving. The leftovers are astonishingly good!
- Refrigerate leftovers.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 386Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 173mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 1gSugar: 25gProtein: 4g
Note: for exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information provided is simply a guideline.
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Maria@SewTravelInspired says
I love lemon and I can see I will love this recipe. I pinned it for later. Thanks for sharing.
CJ Huang says
Gotta love these types of recipes from grandma! “Until it looks right” is another favorite amount to add. 🙂 I hope you can stop on by and share this or any other recipe with us on Five Friday Finds! 🙂
Brittany @ DIY Just Cuz says
These sound and look so delicious!! Pinning!
Fran W says
This is a recipe my sisters and I have made for more than 40 years! Pineapple squares are always a huge favorite! I made Christmas cookie books for my nieces and great nieces which includes our pineapple squatters recipe….
Jim Wiant says
What is the origin of your recipe? I have a similar one from my Great Aunt Mabel who was born in Newfoundland and lived in Massachusetts. She made them in her bake shop in Malden, Mass.
Lynn says
what do I buy for the tapioca? is it instant or pearl? or flour?
Ann says
Lynn, I have always used Kraft Minute Tapioca Pudding (the red box).
Ann
Sabrina says
nice recipe, thank you and your grandmother for this! Also, nice tip about serving cold, looks great!
Laurie says
Hi , i was wodering do you drain the pineapple juice ? And the tapioca , do i just mix right in the the pineapples ? I had a friend make this all the time , everyone would ask her to make it all the time .
Ann says
Hi Laurie,
No draining, just add the tapioca according to instructions above (so yes, all together).
Ann
Beverly Srigley says
Can this be frozen and then add icing when pulled out of freezer?
Ann says
Beverly, to my knowledge no one in my family has ever frozen these. I can see the dough holding up, am just not sure about the filling..
Ann
John Haines says
Spell check got you “rust” I believe it should be crust.
Ann says
Thank you, John. I fixed it.
Ann
John Haines says
Great recipe by the way, tried last night and turned out perfectly.
Ann says
I am so glad you enjoyed it!!
Ann
Joanne says
That sounds delicious! It almost reminds me a bit of a fruit pie with lots of extra goodies tossed in. Pinned.
Anna says
Going to try these. My mom and aunt use to make them all the time when I was young and I cannot find the recipe within my mom’s recipes. Thank you for posting. So excited to try them
Kate says
Can i sub butter for shortening?
Ann says
No one in my family has ever done so, Kate. If you decide to make that change, please come back and let me know how it worked out for you.
Ann
Amanda says
Is it a total of 20oz of crushed pineapple or two 20oz cans? I loved these as a kid!
Ann says
Hi Amanda,
It is two 20 ounce cans of crushed pineapple. I will fix the recipe to be clearer. I am sorry about that.
Ann