For nine decades, Our State has made its way into homes across North Carolina, the United States, and the world. To celebrate, every month this year, we’re paying tribute to the readers who inspire us, offering a taste of our earliest recipes, and revisiting old stories with new insights. Follow along to find out how our past has shaped our present.

October 10, 1936 • This recipe was featured in the recurring column “Merely a Woman’s Opinion,” which, on this date, followed a rave review of the new novel Gone with the Wind. The original recipe suggests serving these squares at afternoon tea with coffee and cheese straws.

Yield: 20 squares.

¾ cup vegetable shortening
1½ cups light brown sugar
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons orange marmalade
Zest from 2 oranges
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2½ cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup pulp-free orange juice
Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Using an electric or stand mixer, cream the shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and continue mixing on medium speed. Add the marmalade, orange zest, and vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.

Add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture, alternating with the orange juice.

Pour batter into prepared dish and bake for 40 minutes or until edges turn light brown. Let cool for 10 minutes, then cut into squares. Once squares have cooled completely, dust with powdered sugar.

— Recipe adapted by Lynn Wells

Interested in another tea party snack? Try these Smoky Cheese Wafers.