Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo Bars

Ingredients:

6 oz. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Squares, divided

3/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. butter, softened, divided

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs

1 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

2 Tbsp. Bird's Custard Powder

3 Tbsp. milk

2 cups icing sugar

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. 

Microwave 2 oz. chocolate and 1/2 cup butter in large microwaveable bowl on MEDIUM 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Blend in egg and vanilla. Stir in graham crumbs, coconut and nuts. 

Press onto bottom of 9-inch square pan. Bake 8 min.; cool completely.Mix custard powder and milk in medium bowl with whisk until blended. Add 1/4 cup of the remaining butter; mix well. Gradually beat in sugar until blended. Spread onto crust. Refrigerate 15 min.

You can microwave remaining chocolate and butter in microwaveable bowl 2 to 3 min. but it is much better if you get a pot of boiling water with a bowl on top and melt your chocolate that way. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Spread over custard layer. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled before cutting into bars.

Tips:

For easy removal of dessert from pan before cutting into bars, line empty pan with foil or parchment paper, with ends of foil extending over sides. Then, use the foil handles to remove chilled dessert from pan before cutting into bars. 

MOCHA NANAIMO BARS

Blend 3 Tbsp. coffee-flavoured liqueur with 2 tsp. Coffee granules. Substitute this for the 3 Tbsp. milk used to prepare custard layer. 

RED OR GREEN NANAIMO BARS

Prepare as directed, adding 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract and a few drops green or red food colouring to filling with butter.