Friday, November 12, 2010

Neopolitan Squares - Christmas Cookies

I couldn't stand it any longer!  I had to give in and
make Christmas cookies.  All of the Christmas cookie
blog parties were making me too excited!


Now there is a problem with me making Christmas cookies
this early - there won't be any there by Christmas time!

These beautiful Neopolitan squares are a special cookie
that I only make at Christmas.  I think I got the recipe
from a little cookbook that the gas utility company sent
out one Christmas. 


They are so pretty and placed in pretty little cups and a box with
tissue, they make a great gift.


Three layers of deliciousness describe these sweet gems.



They remind me of the Neopolitan candies that were three layers
of coconut, white, tan and pink, only these are so much better.

Neopolitan Squares Recipe

1 package (about 9 whole) graham crackers, crushed
1/2 C. butter, melted
1 heaping T. flour
1/4 C. brown sugar
2 C. coconut
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 C. butter, softened
3 C. powdered sugar
about 2 T. water
1 tsp. vanilla
red or pink food coloring

Mix the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar and flour together
and press into the bottom of a buttered 8x8 inch pan.

Bake at 275 for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven.

Mix the coconut and sweetened condensed milk and carefully
spread on the baked crust.

Turn heat up to 300 and bake for 35-40 minutes until lightly
browned around the edges.

Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Beat the butter, powdered sugar, water, vanilla and food coloring
until light and fluffy.  Add additional water if necessary to get a
light and fluffy frosting.  Spread on cooled cookies.

Refrigerate until the frosting is set.  This makes it easier to
cut into nice squares.  Run knife under water and wipe off
with a paper towel inbetween cuts to make clean cuts.



Keep the cook away from the cookies so you have some left.

I will be posting this with



and of course a goodie this pink needs to be on


For todays Thankfulness Challenge, I want to say that I am
truly grateful for good health.  The minute you get over being
sick, you are always so grateful for your health.  You are
grateful that you can get out of bed, move around, breath,
accomplish things, sleep, etc., etc., etc.  I truly appreciate
the good health I enjoy.

Come join my Christmas Giveaway
Miracle on 34th Street
Macy's $100 gift certificate to
celebrate 100 posts and 500 followers.





48 comments:

  1. Jacqueline, these are definitely pinkolicious! I'm saving this recipe. These would be perfect for shower for a mom expecting a baby girl. Well, these would be perfect anytime. Oh, I wish I had one now. ~ Sarah

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  2. These look so pretty and delicious. They would make a nice treat to take to a holiday party.

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  3. These look delicious and are so pretty. Thanks for sharing! La

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  4. These sound as good as they look, and they're such a pretty pink too! Everyone must look forward to these every Christmas, I'm sure!
    My mom used to make Christmas cookies ahead of time each year and put them in the locked freezer in the garage. The problem was, we all had access to the key in the pantry:)

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  5. Why does the word "decadent" pop to mind? They are really pretty, and I know they taste great:@)

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  6. These are so cute and look delish! Now I'm trying to figure out what to sub for the coconut since my gang won't touch it.... these are going to on my list to try for Christmas!

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  7. Oh they are so pretty!
    Thank you for the recipe..

    I am happy you are healthy..

    It is indeed a lucky lucky lucky thing.

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  8. You are breaking me down with this recipe; I have also been holding out on making Christmas cookies. I remember sugar cookies in the freezer when we were young that never made it until Christmas. They sure tasted good frozen-- not that I ever ran down to the freezer to sneek them. These are so pretty that I would like to do a pink Christmas vignette with them. Joni

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  9. I love it! Sue's mom had a locked freezer but everyone had access to the key! We have filled the freezer with cookies and they were all gone before Christmas! One year I made sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies and had them on the counter and not one ever got frosted! There must be lots of cookie stealing elves all over the place. Enjoyed everyone's stories. Cookies are just too tempting anytime. (Mine are already gone and I am really guilty!!!)

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  10. Wow those look awesome! I might have to try them!

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  11. so pretty, never seen such a feminine cookie before :)

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  12. These cookies look absolutely adorable! They sound delicious too! Win Win!!!

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  13. My guy would be all over these and they are pretty for the holidays but aren't too Christmasy for everyday. Thanks so much for a yummy, new treat!

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  14. Oh.. Now this recipe has just gone and done it.. A dessert like this, and I'm hooked! Can't wait to try them, and I'm now a follower! Thanks for the recipe, and have a wonderful weekend! ~tina

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  15. These are beeyooteeful! I love those little coconut candies- I'm making these for sure!Thanks! :)

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  16. These are rather be different. Thank you for the recipe. HPS 2 u
    Nancy

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  17. I'm saving this recipe... It looks amazing!!

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  18. Those are the prettiest cookies ever and they sound delicious! I love that scalloped tissue paper. I had bought a few packages at Homegoods last year and every time I used it I got compliments ;)

    I am so grateful for good health also. Something we don't think about often enough.

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  19. I've never seen these before, they are gorgeous! They are for sure going on my list.
    Thanks,
    mickey

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  20. Found you via Saturday Swap over at Quit Eating Out blog and I am your newest follower. :) LOVING your blog and this recipe sounds amazing! I will definitely be trying these out :)

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  21. Not sure what I love best...the cookies or the pink wrappers! SO yummy looking! I am visiting from Quit Eating Out. :)

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  22. Those look yummmmy! And not too scary for me to attempt making. I'll def. be trying these soon.

    But I have to ask...why are they a Christmas-only recipe???

    Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Happy PINK Saturday! Wow, if those taste half as good as they look, they most be Heaven in your mouth. Thanks for sharing the recipe and have a great weekend, Nan

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  24. Umm, yes please!!

    I'm posting these on my blog:

    www.imlovinyourblog.blogspot.com

    let me know if you mind?

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  25. Looks very nice.
    Happy Pink Saturday!
    greetings from Holland,
    Ineke

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  26. OMG! These look SOOOO DELICIOUS! Hmmm I'm thinking a "drizzle of chocolate on top"??? not to much, Just a little???
    YUMMMY!!!
    Hugs for sharing and YES I'm going to make these,
    Donna

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  27. these look fantastice i'm sure you'll be needing to make another batch before Chrsitmas!

    anne
    www.anniebakes.net

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  28. Your cookies look so wonderful! I make the seven layer rainbow cookies every Christmas and these would be a nice variety to go along with them. hard to believe it will soon be Christmas! Where did this year go?

    Happy Foodie Friday and Pink Saturday!

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  29. These look delicious - and they're gorgeous too - what a beautiful presentation!

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  30. These sweet pink squares look delicious! Mmmmmmm, a must try for me! Happy Pink Saturday and you're right about being thankful for good health! Blessings! xox

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  31. Ooooo, pink. What color could be more delightful for a cookie???

    e-Mom @ Susannah's {Kitchen}

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  32. these look delicious and that pink color is totally when I would fall for~

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  33. Hey, I don't celebrate christmas and even I like christmas cookies! Doesn't matter what time of year it is! These look fantastic!

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  34. These are so pretty, I love them!!

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  35. That's a yummy pink for Pink Saturday.

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  36. Jacqueline,

    Oh my gosh these are beautiful and look so yummy! I will want to make these for sure! Thanks for visiting my blog today and leaving a comment! Pink Saturday is my new happy place! Jennifer Grenko

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  37. it looks so delicious...i love the color, looks very pretty! thanks for sharing your recipe! happy weekend! :)

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  38. These are so pretty and delicate looking. Great idea for a cookie.

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  39. My mouth is watering - YUM!!

    Thank you for visiting my blog & welcoming me to Pink Saturday - I'm having so much fun!!

    I'm following your wonderful blog now.

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  40. These are so pretty and pink! They
    look so delicious too! /Tati

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  41. I wish you were my neighbor. Looks incredible.

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  42. I will make them tomorrow!!!! I can't wait to try it!!!! My daughter will love it, especially because it's pink! :-)

    By the way, would like to have a Hamptons Country Home? Go take a look at it on my blog.. it's os dreamy. :-)

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.

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  43. These Neopolitan Squares look delicious and they're so pretty!

    If you need any other ideas for baking as you're gearing up for Christmas, check out RecipeLion.com

    Thanks!

    Blair, editor for RecipeLion.com

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  44. Jacqueline, These look so very pretty! They sound good too and I printed off the recipe. I have a recipe where the bottom and middle layers are the same (or almost the same), with chocolate on top - it's called "Mounds Bars." I haven't made them in years but I think this might be the year to make them again. Thanks for sharing your Neopolitan squares!
    Hugs, Beth

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  45. The Neopolitan squares look pretty AND yummy!

    I'd love to have you join the Bake-N-Blog blog party that I'm hosting on December 1st. If you're interested, you can check out the details here:

    http://jaxdoesdesign.blogspot.com/2010/11/bake-n-blog-holiday-edition.html

    Kelly

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  46. These are so good!!!! A family friend always brought these for dessert after Thanksgiving and Christmas but would never give up her recipe. These turned out exactly the same!! Thank you!

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