Recipe of the Week - Nanaimo Bars

I'm Canadian. West Coast. If there is something that we love, it's a Nanaimo Bar. Sure, okay, I'm a bit late. The holiday baking extravaganza is done. But these are just So Good. George and I made them after the littles were asleep on Christmas Eve. I'm pretty sure it should be a tradition.

Mmmmm..

The recipe for you my dears.

Nanaimo Bars (recipe courtesy of my MIL, but check out the link above)

Bottom Layer

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
5 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Place softened butter with sugar, cocoa, vanilla and eggs in bowl. Set bowl in dish of boiling water. Stir until butter has melted and resembles custard. Combine cracker crumbs, coconut and nuts in bowl, blending well. Add to custard mixture. Pack evenly into 9" square pan.

Centre Filling

1/4 cup butter
3 tbsp cream or milk
2 tbsp vanilla custard powder (can substitute vanilla pudding powder)
2 cups icing sugar

Cream butter, add milk and custard powder. Blend in icing sugar. Spread over bottom base.

Chocolate Topping

4 squares (4oz) semi-sweet chocolate, good quality
1 tbsp butter

Melt chocolate and butter. Spread over the centre filling. Refrigerate. Cut into (large!) rectangle pieces. Eat half. Give remainder to friends and family.