This nostalgic treat from years gone by are such a great treat! Pink Lady Squares are easy to throw together and are the perfect accompaniment for your afternoon tea!

Have you ever been out for a walk, minding your own business, when a single scent pulls you right back into your childhood? That happened to me last week while walking Benny. I caught the faintest whiff of something in the forest, no idea what it was, and I stopped mid-stride because it instantly wrapped me in the warmest, fuzziest feeling.

It made me smile.
It made me feel safe.
And it made me think about why nostalgia feels so good.

As I walked home, I kept replaying that sensation. Why do memories from the past comfort us so deeply? Why does an old photo, a favourite song, or a family recipe soothe the soul in a way nothing else can?

Turns out, there’s some science behind it.

Why Nostalgia Matters (And Why We Need It)

In a Scientific American article, researchers explained that nostalgia is a kind of psychological immune response. It steps in when life gets overwhelming and gives us something familiar, something warm, to hold onto.

One of the researchers, Tim Wildschut, said nostalgia is triggered by simple things:

• old photographs
• favourite meals
• familiar songs
• handwritten recipe cards passed down for generations

And here’s the beautiful part, nostalgia actually makes people feel less lonely, more hopeful, and more connected.

The New York Times even shared a story about a psychologist who once believed nostalgia was a sign of depression. Historically, it was considered a disorder. But modern research now shows the exact opposite: nostalgia can combat anxiety, spark generosity, strengthen relationships, and even help people feel physically warmer on cold days.

So really… nostalgia is a kind of superpower.

Why Nostalgia Hit Hard During the Pandemic

It’s no wonder that during the long months of lockdown, when everything felt uncertain, people returned to the comfort of:

• baking old family recipes
• revisiting photo albums
• posting “throwback” vacation pictures
• making bread like their grandparents
• rediscovering quiet domestic rituals

These memories gave us hope. They reminded us of good times. And they reassured us that those good times would eventually come again.

Which brings me to these Old-Fashioned Pink Lady Squares, a nostalgic dessert that arrived in my inbox at the perfect moment.

The Story Behind These Old-Fashioned Pink Lady Squares

Lucky for me, around the same time I was reflecting on nostalgia, my friend Kevin shared his great-grandmother’s recipe for Pink Lady Squares.

Honestly? Just seeing the photo of her handwritten recipe card made me emotional. It reminded me so much of my own mom, her perfect handwriting, the way she shared recipes with neighbours, the methodical notes in the margins.

These squares are exactly the kind of recipe that gets passed from generation to generation unchanged. I always laugh thinking about how Great Grandma Laframboise (which actually means raspberry in French!) didn’t swap the cherry juice for raspberry juice and rename them. Back then, recipes were shared with love, and the unwritten rule was simple:
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.

A quick note: I didn’t have maraschino cherries, so I substituted pomegranate juice. It didn’t add any colour or flavour, which makes me think the juice is purely for tint. And according to Kevin’s wife, she colours them green for other holidays, so I suspect my theory is correct!

Why You Should Make These Pink Lady Squares

If you’re feeling glum… or overwhelmed… or just need a little emotional hug, bake a batch of these Old-Fashioned Pink Lady Squares.

They’re soft, sweet, simple, and nostalgic in all the right ways.

You might even find yourself smiling at a memory you haven’t thought about in years.

What You’ll Find in This Pink Lady Squares Guide

To make this post more helpful for readers and easier for Google to understand, here’s everything included below:

• What nostalgia has to do with baking
• The story behind these Old-Fashioned Pink Lady Squares
• Tips and ingredient notes
• A full recipe card (at the bottom)
• Suggested variations
• Internal links to more nostalgic treats

Ingredient Notes (Before You Scroll to the Recipe)

You’ll find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below, but here’s a quick preview:

• Maraschino cherry juice is traditional and gives the signature pink hue
• Pomegranate juice won’t add colour (trust me!)
• Handwritten recipe cards optional… but encouraged for emotional effect

Try More Nostalgic Italian Baking

• Italian Pineapple Cookies
• Italian Pizzelle
• Homemade Biscotti

Old Fashioned Pink Lady Squares

If you’d like a dose of old fashioned nostalgia, then you need to make these!!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24

Ingredients

  

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (you can sub in any crushed cookie)
• 1/2 cup butter, melted (you can use margarine)
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Filling:

• 2 cups shredded coconut (unsweetened or sweetened)
• 1 can (300mL) condensed milk

Icing:

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, room temperature
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 2 tbsp maraschino cherry juice see note

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 325°F
• Line an 8X8″ square baking pan with parchment (this is optional but I like to do it as it makes cutting and lifting way easier); set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix graham crumbs, melted butter, flour and brown sugar together and press down into prepared pan; bake for 10 minutes (will be puffed and golden); remove from oven and set aside,
• In another bowl, mix together coconut and condensed milk and spread evenly over crust: bake for 30 minutes (edges will be brown). 
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat 1/4 cup butter/margarine until light and fluffy. Beat in icing sugar and cherry juice and beat until combined.
• Spread icing on cooled bars and refrigerate to harden. Cut into squares and serve!

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