Prairie Sweetness: The Story Of Puffed Wheat Squares In Canada

Puffed wheat squares are one of those iconic prairie treats, a delightfully chewy and chocolatey square that sparks nostalgia for school lunches, harvest suppers, and community bake sales across the Canadian West. But where did this beloved, portable sweet begin, and how did it become a staple of Canadian kitchens? Let’s take a look back at the journey of the puffed wheat square in Canada.

Prairie Roots and Ingenious Beginnings

The history of the puffed wheat square is closely tied to the Canadian prairies, particularly Alberta. The most well-known origin story credits Alfred James Russell, a Maritimer who settled in Red Deer, Alberta in 1913. Russell opened a candy store on Ross Street and soon began selling what would become his signature treat—puffed wheat squares.

At the time, World War One was having a significant impact on everyday life, leading to food rationing and a push for home cooks and bakers to use less wheat flour and sugar. Puffed wheat, which occupied more volume using fewer grains, was economical and practical—a way to “stretch” ingredients at a time when every kernel counted.

Russell’s original recipe was quite different from the soft, gooey squares we know now. Early versions were more like a hard candy, using molasses as a sweetener due to sugar rationing. Modern recipes evolved after the war, incorporating more readily available sugars, cocoa powder, and sometimes marshmallows in place of molasses to achieve that beloved chewy texture.

A Canadian Prairie Classic

Puffed wheat squares quickly became associated with prairie culture, particularly in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The treat was easy and inexpensive to make, required no baking, and used simple pantry staples—a boon for farm families and busy households. It feels just right that this square, like the people who popularized it, is resourceful, unfussy, and able to bring a room together at a moment’s notice.

It’s a mainstay at bake sales, community fairs, and family gatherings. Like butter tarts and Nanaimo bars, the puffed wheat square has threaded its way through the fabric of Canadian food culture, a distinctly prairie confection that most everyone remembers from childhood.

Enduring Legacy in Canadian Food

So, the next time these squares appear on a snack table or at a family picnic, remember their roots in Red Deer and their place on the Canadian prairies. Their staying power isn’t just about taste—it’s about how a simple treat can tell a story and bring people together.

Hungry for more? Check out these Classic Canadian Dishes:

• In a Jam(Jam): The History of Jam Jams in Canada
• Meat Pie Magic: The History of Tourtière
• Delicious Squared: History of Date Squares
• The History of the Iconic Jiggs Dinner
• The History of Pea Soup in Canada
• The History of Baked Beans in Canada
• Classic Canadian Dishes: Pouding Chômeur
• Classic Canadian Dishes: The Lobster Roll
• Classic Canadian Dishes: Saskatoon Pie
• Classic Canadian Dishes: Cod au Gratin

References:

• The Original Puffed Wheat Square: A 100-year-old Red Deer treat
• Canadian Food Focus: Puffed Wheat Cake Recipe