Nanaimo Bars
This is a three layer bar that is one of our favorite things to buy when we are on
Vancouver Island. We have tried a number of recipes for them over the years.
This is a good one. I believe we lifted it from the Island Cookery!
Coconut Base:
1 egg
½ cup butter
¼ cup granulated sugar
5 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups Graham Wafer crumbs
1 cup dessicated coconut
½ cup chopped walnuts
Icing:
¼ cup butter
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons custard powder
2 cups icing sugar
Topping:
4 squares semi-sweetened and milk chocolate
3 tablespoon butter
Coconut base:
Crack the egg into the bowl and add the butter, sugar, cocoa and vanilla. Set
the bowl in a dish of boiling-hot water and stir the mixture until it is
completely melted and mixed. Then add the graham Wafer crumbs,
dessicated coconut and chopped walnuts and stir until everything is
completely mixed. Pack the mixture into a 6- x 10-inch glass casserole or into
a 9-inch square baking pan.
Icing:
Cream the butter. Then dissolve the custard powder in the milk, add it to the
creamed butter and sift in the icing sugar. Stir until everything is completely
mixed and spread it evenly over the coconut base. Put it in the refrigerator
(not the freezer) for 15 minutes to firm up.
Topping:
Melt the chocolate with the butter, and spread it evenly over the icing. Put it
back in the refrigerator to set, and then cut it into bars.
Note: After adding the Graham Wafer crumbs, all stirring and mixing can be
done with a Mixmaster or equivalent. If this is done, the beaters and bowls
will need to be licked clean after mixing the coconut base and again after
mixing the icing. Count the kids and tell them who gets to lick what before
starting, otherwise there’ll be trouble.
