Nanaimo Bars

Bottom Layer

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 5 Tbsp. cocoa
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 1/4 cup graham wafer crumbs
• 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds or pecans
• 1 cup coconut

Mix first three ingredients in top of double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut, and nuts. Press firmly into a greased 8" x 8" pan.

Second Layer

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 Tbsp. and 2 Tsp. cream
• 2 Tbsp. vanilla custard powder (it's OK to substitute powdered instant vanilla pudding mix)
• 2 cups icing sugar (powdered sugar)

Cream butter, cream, custard powder, and icing sugar together well. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer. (You can add different flavours to this layer if you want; like mint or raspberry. Use your imagination. Lizi also made a cream cheese version of this and she loved it more than the original. Click here for her recipe.

Third Layer

• 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. each)
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.

Colorful display of Nanaimo Bars (third layer not yet applied)