Recipe: Carrot Cake Squares with Orange Hard Sauce

CARROT CAKE SQUARES

1/3 cup margarine or butter
1/4 cup water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 slightly beaten egg
1/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup finely shredded carrot (2 medium)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Orange Hard Sauce (recipe follows)

In a small saucepan combine margarine and water. Bring to boiling, stirring to melt margarine. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

In a large mixing bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add margarine mixture, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla; stir till combined. Fold carrots, raisins, and walnuts. Spread in greased 9x9x2-inch baking pan.

Bake in 375 degree F oven 25 to 30 minutes or till done. Cool.

Cut into 16 pieces. Pipe or spoon Orange Hard Sauce atop each piece. Store remaining Orange Hard Sauce in refrigerator or freezer.

ORANGE HARD SAUCE

1/2 cup softened margarine or butter
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
1 to 2 tablespoons orange liqueur

In a small bowl beat together butter and powdered sugar. Beat in orange peel and orange liqueur.

Makes 16 servings
From: Recipelink.com
Source: Recipe magazine: Holiday Cooking, Better Homes and Gardens Creative Ideas, 1988