FRUIT COCKTAIL BARS

One of my most exciting cookbook "finds" is a book called Up a Country Lane Cookbook by Evelyn Birkby. Evelyn was one of those area radio homemakers who had her own radio show starting in 1950l She also had a column in the Shenandoah Evening Sentienl even before that called U
"Up a Country Lane". She gave 'handy tips, sound advice, and, most important of all, steady companionship" to her "network of friends -- readers and listeners".

The book is full of stories, pictures, and recipes. I plan to enjoy it soon while we are on vacation.

This is the first recipe I saw that I tried. I took it to Hillcrest Thrift Shop, my favorite place to share my goodies and never received so many approvals. It really was good and I would highly recommend it if you need to take something to a potluck or are just having friends over.

FRUIT COCKTAIL BARS

1/2       cup butter
3          eggs, beaten
1-1/4    cups sugar
1           16-ounce can fruit cocktail, undrained
1-1/2    teaspoons baking soda
2-1/2   cups flour
1/2       teaspoon salt
1           teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1           cup flaked coconut
1           cup chopped nuts, (I used walnuts)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a jelly roll pan (10 x 15 x 1 - inch pan)

Beat butter, eggs, and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes on medium speed). (Ok, mine doesn't look very fluffy.)

Stir in fruit cocktail, juice and all.  

Blend dry ingredients together and stir in.

Add flavoring, coconut, and nuts.

Spoon and spread into pan.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes (Bake an additional 5 minutes if you use one of the air-bake pans)



Remove from oven and top with glaze.

GLAZE

1          cup sugar
1/2      cup butter
1/4      cup evaporated milk
1/2      teaspoon vanilla flavoring

Combine ingredients and boil 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat,

cool slightly,

then beat until it thickens as much as you desire.

Drizzle over cake. This is a fine glaze for doughnuts, cakes, or sweet rolls. 

When it cools, the glaze will soak into the cake.

Cut into bars to serve.