Soda Cracker Squares

There are times we hope no one will see us. We may be picking our nose at a red light. Or wearing those jogging pants with the questionable stains. For me, it’s after work. Why? Because I inhale so many soda crackers while waiting for dinner, it’s embarrassing. I’m paranoid someone’s going to put a hidden camera in my kitchen and put me on “World’s Scariest Videos.”

I wanted to call these Soder Cracker Squares because I suspect many elderly cakers pronounce it that way. Hang out in the mall food court on a Tuesday afternoon and chances are you’ll hear words like “zink” inside of “sink” or “warsh” instead of “wash” or “padaydas” instead of “potatoes.” As in, “Let me give myself a warsh in the kitchen zink before I peel the padaydas.” (Pray that you’re never, ever on the receiving end of that sentence.)

While these squares are a little on the sweet side, the soder crackers add a punch of saltiness that keeps you coming back for more. And that instant coffee gives you a much-needed kick (if the sugar don’t do the trick). Now excuse while I go get me a drink of soder pop.

Melt

1 small package chocolate chips

½ cup peanut butter

1 tablespoon butter

Add

1/3 cup cold instant coffee

1 ½ cups icing sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

35-40 broken, salted soda crackers (See note)

Mix and press into a greased 8”x8” pan. Keep in fridge.

Icing:

Icing sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 tablespoon shortening

1 tablespoon butter

salt and cream

Note: 1 column

Source: 20th Anniversary Cookbook of the Mount Royal United Church, Saskatoon, 1983