Orange Nanaimo Bars

Lennie's Note:

For those who love 'orange', these are a must. Particularly nice at Christmas on a goodies tray, but these are always welcome any time of the year!

• Total Time: 24 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 24 hrs
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 25 bars

Base

• 1/2 cup butter (I use butter) or 1/2 cup margarine (I use butter)
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (or pecans)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange rind

Middle

• 1/2 cup butter, softened (don't use margarine here)
• 2 tablespoons custard powder
• 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange rind
• 2 cups icing sugar, sifted to remove lumps
• orange food coloring (optional, I don't use it)

Top

• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 2 tablespoons butter (don't use margarine)

Directions:

1. First, make base.
2. Put butter or margarine, cocoa and sugar into a saucepan and cook, over medium heat, until butter melts and sugar dissolves; stir occasionally.
3. Whisk egg and then SLOWLY whisk butter mixture into beaten egg; then put mixture back into same saucepan.
4. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes or until smooth; remove from heat.
5. Stir in crumbs, nuts, coconut and orange rind; combine well then scrape into a 9-inch cake pan (8-inch works as well); spread evenly and even use your fingers to press down; refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6. Now make the middle.
7. With an electric mixer, beat custard powder into butter, then beat in orange juice concentrate and rind.
8. With your mixer on low, beat in icing sugar, a bit at a time, and the food colouring if you're using it.
9. Spread over the chilled base and refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
10. Now make the top.
11. Chop chocolate coarsely and heat in a small pan, along with the butter, until melted and smooth; stir often.
12. Pour over the middle layer, spreading evenly; return to refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until firm.
13. Once firm, cover with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until serving.
14. With a sharp knife, cut into bars to serve.

Reviews

[Mirj]

Lennie, you are a genius! We were invited out for Friday night dinner and I was to bring dessert. Lennie suggested this, and it was a huge hit! I didn't have any custard powder so I used a whole box of vanilla pudding mix, and one small can of orange juice concentrate. It was both tart and sweet at the same time, a great sensation together with the chocolate topping. Next time I'm going to substitute ground almonds for some of the graham cracker crumbs and leave out the coconut. Lennie, thanks, you really came through for me on this!

[Debbb]

YUMMMMMY! This was so tasty. We loved the chocolate and orange combo. This does take a bit of time to make but it's well worth it. I was very impressed with how well the crumb base held together.