Nanaimo Bars

CountryLady's Note:

Named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, the first time this square was published under that name was in the early 1950's in the Vancouver Sun newspaper! This version of the original bar is from Company's Coming - 150 Delicious Squares! Later versions change the vanilla custard layer to mint or peanut butter but the original is my favourite. You can make this a day ahead of a special occasion or keep it in the freezer. I used to freeze half because I'm very weak & I would eat the whole thing myself BUT I soon discovered that it tastes good even when its frozen!

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 36 squares

BOTTOM LAYER

• ½ cup butter or ½ cup margarine , softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 5 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 large egg , beaten
• 1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1 cup fine coconut

MIDDLE LAYER

• ½ cup butter or ½ cup margarine
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons vanilla custard powder
• 2 cups icing sugar

TOPPING

• 2⁄3; cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or 4 ounces chocolate
• 4 tablespoons butter or 4 tablespoons margarine

Directions:

1. BOTTOM LAYER: Melt first 3 ingredients in top of double boiler or heavy saucepan.
2. Add egg & stir to cook & thicken.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in remaining ingredients& press firmly into an ungreased 9 x 9-inch pan.
5. MIDDLE LAYER: Cream all ingredients together; beat until light.
6. Spread over bottom layer.
7. TOPPING: Melt chips & butter over low heat; cool.
8. When cooled but still runny, spread over middle layer.
9. Chill in refrigerator.
10. Use a very sharp knife to cut into squares.

Reviews

[Chef #193323 - KimWelch]

This was by far one of the best desserts I've made! Thank you so much for posting this! YUMMO! I could not find the custard powder so I replaced with 3 tbsp vanilla instant pudding and I made the replacement suggestion for the icing sugar and my family was WOW'd! I will absolutely be making this again! Wish I could give more then 5 stars =)

[Abby Girl]

These are such a delicious treat...it would be hard not to eat just one. Don't think of the calories when you eat them...they are so worth it! Nanaimo is pronounced : Na-NYE-mo. Great posting!!

[Canadian_in_the_Bay]

I had not had these in years. I did everything exactly as directed and they turned out wonderfully.