Nanaimo Bars

Now, I wasn't always a huge fan of Nanaimo Bars. I used to find them too rich, and a little artificial. However, once I started making them myself, that all changed. I've made a few different recipes, and they are usually pretty similar.

A couple of things I've noted over the years:

1 - make sure to take the butter out of the microwave right after you've melted it, or you might forget to add it!

2 - do not under any circumstance attempt to make these with margarine, the consistency is not the same.

These ones are courtesy of Canadian Living, and are fantastic. I cut them into bite-sized pieces for a party, although it's hard to eat just one!

Classic Nanaimo Bars

Base:

- 1 cup butter, melted

- 2/3 cup cocoa powder

- 1/2 cup granulated sugar

- 2 eggs, lightly beaten

- 3 cups graham cracker crumbs

- 2 cups shredded coconut

- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts

Filling:

- 1/3 cup butter, melted

- 1/4 cup milk

- 2 tsp vanilla

- 4 cups icing sugar

*I also added 2 tbsp custard powder

Topping:

- 8 oz semisweet chocolate

- 2 tbsp butter

Grease 13x9 inch metal cake pan and line with parchment paper, leaving 1 inch extending over long edges for handles.

In large bowl, whisk together butter, cocoa powder, sugar and eggs; stir in cracker crumbs, coconut and walnuts. Press evenly into prepared pan. Bake in centre of 350˚F oven for 10 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack.

Filling: In large bowl, stir together butter, milk and vanilla; beat in sugar until thickened and smooth. Spread evenly over cooled base. Refrigerate for about 45 minutes or until firm.

Topping: Chop chocolate; in heatproof bowl over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, melt chocolate and butter. Spread evenly over filling. Refrigerate until set. Using parchment paper handles, lift out of pan. Peel off paper and cut into bars.