Blarney Stones

On the Menu Today~
Blarney Stones a.k.a.
Peanut Squares

I have wanted to make this recipe for "Blarney Stones"
since the first time I saw the recipe in a Taste of Home Annual Cookbook.
That was back in 2003.
Better late than never!

Where is the Blarney Stone and
How do you kiss it?

Turn the Page to find out
How to Kiss a Blarney Stone.....

The Blarney Stone is at Blarney Castle in Ireland.


After doing some research on the Blarney Stone...
after watching a few videos on where the Blarney Stone is located and
after learning how you have to go about 'kissing' the stone....
I can say,
without hesitation,
Hell No to That!

Let me back up here....
I would love to visit Ireland someday...
it's both beautiful and magical....
I'm positive, I could sit down on a ledge,
lean backwards,
grab onto some iron bars,
with my head held upside down and
looking backwards,
kiss a rock/stone....
(while being hung on to by a complete stranger)
I'm pretty sure I can do that...
But,
the clincher here..

The famous Blarney Stone is located at the top of the Blarney Castle....

I mean at the very top. (Check out the video)

I'm deathly afraid of heights.....
I mean terrified or

petrified might be the right word...
paralyzing fear would work here too.
Knee-knocking,
dizzy, disorientated fear.
That being said, 

my chances of ever kissing the
Blarney Stone are pretty slim to none...
and I'm o.k. with that.

What's the purpose of kissing the Blarney Stone?
The purpose of kissing the "Blarney Stone"
is to gain the gift of eloquence.
Which means to speak and or
write with 'eloquence'

With all that being said,
I will stick to making these 

'Blarney Stones'
a.k.a.' Peanut Squares'

while I have both feet planted firmly on the ground.

With one bite of these delicious 'Blarney Stones',
you'll be kissing these stones instead.
That's how good they are.

Blarney Stones a.k.a. Peanut Squares

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 pounds confectioners' sugar
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 cups finely chopped honey-roasted peanuts

Cooking Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla until thick and lemon-colored, about 4 minutes. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to the egg mixture. 
2. Beat on low speed just until combined. Add the milk and butter; mix well. Pour into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
3. Bake at 350º for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
4. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Cover and freeze overnight.
5. For the Frosting:
6. In a mixing bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, milk, vanilla and salt; beat until smooth. Frost the top and sides of frozen cake squares; roll in chopped peanuts. Place on wire racks to dry.

Cake, Frosting, Peanuts, Irish

The Blarney Stone
The Stone of Eloquence

"For over 200 years, world statesman, literary giants, and legends of the silver screen have joined millions of pilgrims climbing the steps to kiss the Blarney Stone and gain the gift of eloquence. Its powers are unquestioned but its story still creates debate."

"Once upon a time, visitors had to be held by the ankles and lowered head first over the battlements. Today, cautious of the safety of the visitors, the stone itself is still set in the wall below the battlements but to kiss is, one has to lay down, lean backwards, holding on to an iron railing, while someone else hangs on to you, and you kiss the stone. The prize is a real one as once kissed the stone bestows the gift of eloquence."  

"Some say it was Jacob's Pillow, brought to Ireland by the prophet Jeremiah. Here it became the Lia Fail or 'Fatal Stone', used as an oracular throne of Irish kings. It was also said to be the deathbed pillow of St Columba on the island of Iona. Legend says it was then removed to mainland Scotland, where is served as the prophetic power of royal succession, the Stone of Destiny."

"When Cormac MacCarthy, King of Munster, sent five thousand men to support Robert the Bruce in his defeat of the English at Bannockburn in 1314, a portion of the historic Stone was given by the Scots in gratitude-returned to Ireland."

"Others say it may be a stone brought back to Ireland from the Crusades- the 'Stone of Ezel' behind which David hid on Jonathan's advice when he fled from his enemy, Saul. A few claim it was the stone that gushed water when struck by Moses."

"Whatever the truth of its origin, some believe a witch saved from drowning revealed its power to the MacCarthys."