A triple layer square which boasts a coconut and chocolate flavour combination, Queen Anne Squares are an extremely popular Christmastime time confection!
Welcome back, Dear Reader. Today is the sixth day of the Lord Byron’s 24 Cookies of Christmas series. And, today, I’m so happy to post my version of the delicious Queen Anne Square. This is probably my most favourite cookie of all time, which is why I save the recipe for special occasions and rarely make it so that it stays special and doesn’t become too common.
I don’t get to travel back to Newfoundland too often, but I do remember well the many cafe’s and bakeries that you can easily find in many small towns – and on the highways too. Many of these establishments offer Queen Anne Squares all year round, along with many other homemade baked goods. A square and a cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon is a very common occurrence.
NEWFOUNDLAND’S VERSION OF A NANAIMO BAR
I like to think of Queen Anne Squares as Newfoundland’s version of the popular west coast Nanaimo Bars, which were fashioned in Nanaimo, British Colombia. There are the three layers, and of course, the colours of those three layers are very similar to the Nanaimo Bar, but unlike the sweet, buttery west coast treat, the Queen Anne Square is not too sweet and has way more texture due to the coconut.
Truth be told, I have no idea why they’re called Queen Anne Squares. I have searched the internet, hoping to find an answer to the mystery, but I’ve had no such luck. But, there are many, many links that lead to Rock Recipes, which is an extremely popular recipe blog devoted to Newfoundland recipes. That is where I found this Queen Anne Squares Recipe, so all credit goes to the author of Rock Recipes, Barry Parsons.
MORE CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES!
Did you know that I’ve been posting a 24 Cookies of Christmas series for a few years now? There are over 100 Christmas cookie recipes that you can find right here at Lord Byron’s Kitchen! To make it easier to find, I have created a page for each series. Just click on the image below and you’ll find the full series for that volume all one page!
HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
FIRST LAYER
- Butter – Make sure your butter is at room temperature! To be perfectly honest, I have made these with both salted and unsalted butter and there’s no difference in taste or appearance once all is said and done. Use what you have on hand.
- Brown Sugar – First of all, it has way more flavour than regular white sugar! And, in this recipe, brown sugar helps to keep the cookie moist and soft.
- Flour – No need for anything special. Just use regular all-purpose flour. I have not tried this recipe with any other type of flour.
- Cocoa Powder – Cocoa powder is an unsweetened chocolate product which adds deep chocolate flavor to desserts and beverages. Use a good quality cocoa powder, not the kind we used to stir into milk as kids!
- Vanilla Extract – Probably the most common extract and the most common flavouring used in cakes and cookies.
- Egg – One large egg is all you need. Whenever you set out to bake, make sure your eggs are at room temperature too – just like your butter!
MIDDLE LAYER
- Canned Condensed Milk – This recipe has not been tested with low fat condensed milk. Depending on where you live, the size of the can my differ. Be sure to have the full 14 ounces!
- Coconut – Baking coconut comes in sweetened and unsweetened and in different sizes. Unless otherwise stated, use unsweetened coconut when baking otherwise the result might be too sweet. Be sure to check the size too – is it supposed to be shredded, grated, etc? The size of the coconut will affect the outcome of your recipe.
- More Vanilla Extract
FINAL LAYER
- Confectioner’s Sugar – This superfine sugar is sometimes called powdered sugar. It’s uses in frostings quite often. When dusted lightly onto cakes and cookies, it adds just a touch of sweetness, but more importantly, it looks very visually appealing!
- More Cocoa Powder
- More Vanilla Extract – Again!
- Milk – When a baking recipe requires milk, I always use whole milk, unless otherwise stated.
- And, finally, more butter
KINGS, QUEENS, AND… LORDS!?
There’s another reason why I love Queen Anne Squares other than the brilliant texture and taste. It’s because Lord Byron is obsessed with the Kings and Queens of yesteryear, none more so than Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry the VIII. If you don’t know the story of Anne Boleyn, I encourage you to read about her life and her contribution to England’s reform.
Even though television does take artistic liberties from time to time, the BBC series, The Tudor’s, does stay very true to King Henry’s infatuation with Anne Boleyn and the annulment of his marriage to Queen Catherine of Aragon. Anne played a very important role in the separation of state and church in the early 1500s.
I’ve always loved European history, but none more so than that of England. Even when it comes to movies and television series, a period piece of any time frame is bound to catch my attention, much to the dismay of McKenna and John.e. They much prefer Marveled Avengers or Star Trek Wars.
Anyway, you have come here for a recipe, not a history lesson or to hear about a common argument over what the Thomas-Ewing family are going to watch on television while dining in on takeout. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe you like to hear about the drama in other people’s households, but I’ll save those stories for another time.
MORE CHRISTMAS CONFECTIONS!
In some cases, we want more than a cookie. That’s why I have two more Christmas-themed collections you might want to consider. The first, is my 12 Bundt Cakes of Christmas, and the second is my 12 Biscotti of Christmas. Click on the image below to see each collection all on one page with links to each recipe!
MAKE AHEAD AND FREEZE
Back to Queen Anne Squares now… I really do think you’ll love these squares. Not only are they easy to make, but they do look pretty impressive. You can certainly make these ahead of time and freeze them. They do freeze quite well. Just leave them at room temperature for fifteen minutes so that they can thaw and return to room temperature. It really doesn’t take that long.
That, Dear Reader, brings us to the end of day six. I hope you’re enjoying reading Lord Byron’s 24 Cookies of Christmas series as much as I enjoy writing them. Tomorrow, we are heading back to a basic Christmastime recipe from years gone by. This one allows for some personal creativity too!
One last thing – I couldn’t resist placing this nativity crown in the background of this post. I bought it at the end of summer at Hobby Lobby. Would you believe that we did not have one single nativity decoration? Until now! How perfect is it that it’s a crown?
Queen Anne Squares
Ingredients
For the Bottom:
- 2/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
- 2/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
For the Middle:
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups coconut, sweetened, medium grain
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Top:
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablepoons milk
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
Instructions
- Prepare a 8×8 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
For the Bottom:
- Vigorously stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and egg until well mixed.
- Add flour and cocoa powder. Stir into the wet ingredients until well combined.
- Pour into prepared baking sheet. Press batter into corners and along the sides of the pan. Try to get the bottom layer as flat and as evenly distributed as possible.
For the Middle:
- Stir the vanilla extract into the sweetened condensed milk until combined.
- Add the coconut and stir until completely incorporated.
- Spoon this mixture over the bottom layer. Try to avoid too much movement; this will help to keep the dark layer and the light layer separated, which will make the square look much prettier. I like to use a tablespoon to scoop up the coconut mixture and dot the top of the chocolate layer. When done, very gently spread the coconut layer evenly and flat using an off-set spatula.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Do not remove from baking pan.
For the Top:
- Whisk together all ingredients until well combined. Evenly spread over the cooled squares with an off-set spatula.
- Allow to squares to set up in the fridge for one hour. Remove from pan using the parchment paper to help lift. Cut into 16 squares. (You can cut the squares smaller if you prefer.)
- Keep covered and refrigerated.
Claudia Lamascolo says
First of all coconut anything is my favorite but these are over the top scrumptious and yet fit for a King! Oh my, I wish I can just take one out of the photo to eat right now. I can totally see the layers as being a total explosion of flavors!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Claudia. 🙂
Pavani says
I have started to looking forward to your cookie recipes every day 🙂 These Queen Anne squares look delicious. I think I’ll make them for my mom and sister – who have a sweet tooth and also want some variety in their desserts. I think they’ll love these. I noticed the crown in the background and thought it was the perfect prop for you 😊.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Pavani.
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
These look incredible. Like you I love to study British history. I am currently studying the Puritan factions during the English Civil Wars. I am so happy that you comment on Queen Anne’s contributions because they are significant and she was a very intelligent person, and articulate in affairs of the church and State. I can’t wait to give this dessert a try- thank you!
Jen says
You always have the best holiday treats on your site, most of which I have never heard of. This one looks particularly amazing- I think it is all the coconut that caught my eye. Yum!
April says
Squares are getting better and better each time I stumble upon square recipes! These look so good and definitely the recipe I would go all in with for this Christmas!
Tammy says
These bars are everything and then some! What an irresistible and decadent treat for the holidays. I love the layers…it’s like three desserts in one! Definitely a keeper 🙂
auntie em says
This one is going on my must make list for this year! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Anne says
Can these be doubled? I do have 2 8-inch pans, but one would be ideal! Thanks…these look amazing.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Yes, absolutely!
Marion says
I really wat to make these squares.I don’t want to sound dumb but I’ve never heard of an off set spatula
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hi Marion – an offset spatula is a basic frosting tool. It’s a long, thin spatula with one raised end which enables you to get close to the frosting/cookie for spreading without actually touching it. You can use a regular spatula or even a knife. An offset spatula is just easier to work with.
Jules says
Made these tonight! Definitely keeping this recipe. I ended up cutting into them while they were still a little warm because I thought I’d overbaked them and couldn’t bear the suspense waiting to find out. They were quite brown on top, as the sweetened condensed milk had caramelized nicely. They tasted amazing, though. And so sweet (we’re sensitive to sweetness), that I decided not to frost them. Because the top was golden and the coconut layer was white and the bottom layer was chocolate, they still have that nice three layered appearance that makes them look fancy. One of my favorite things about this recipe is that made entirely from pantry staples! That’s going to help keep our holiday baking stress free. Thank you for posting it!!