Nanaimo Bars

This is a traditional Canadian dessert. There are many versions of this recipe, this is one I really enjoy making. It is a no bake version. You can easily turn this into a mint nanaimo by adding mint extract and green food coloring to the center layer, or you can turn it into a orange nanaimo by adding orange extract and orange food coloring. There are many possible variations, so go ahead and make your own variation if you like.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 20
• Yields: 20 bars

Ingredients

• Crust

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 5  tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1  egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 2⁄3 cups  graham wafers, crumbs
• 1  cup coconut
• 1⁄2 cup walnuts, chopped

• Creamy center

• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 2  cups powdered sugar
• 1  egg

• Chocolate topping

• 4  ounces chocolate (semi-sweet)
• 1  tablespoon butter

Directions

1. Make crust: Grease a 9-inch square cake pan.
2. In a sauce pan combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, egg and vanilla.
3. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly, until smooth and slightly thickened.
4. Stir in the remaining crust ingredients and press into prepared pan.
5. Make the creamy center: cream the butter and gradually beat in icing sugar and egg. (this is where you can add different flavoring and food coloring if you like).
6. Spread over crumb mixture and chill for about 15 minutes.
7. Make the chocolate topping: melt the chocolate and butter together over hot water or in a microwave, being careful not to burn.
8. Spread on top.
9. Chill until set.
10. Cut into squares with a sharp knife.