Nanaimo Bars

This is a very rich and very sweet no-bake bar. It is named after the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. Prep time is approximate and cook time is chill time. This bar is easier to cut when almost room temp., but should be stored in the fridge.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 25

Ingredients

• Bottom Layer

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter (European-style cultured if possible)
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 5  tablespoons  cocoa
• 1  egg, beaten
• 1 1⁄4 cups  graham wafer crumbs
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped  almonds
• 1  cup  shredded coconut

• Middle layer

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter
• 8  teaspoons  cream
• 2  tablespoons vanilla custard powder
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2  cups icing sugar

• Top layer

• 4  ounces  semisweet chocolate
• 2  tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

1. Bottom Layer: Melt 1/2 cup butter, sugar and cocoa in top of double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat.
2. Stir in crumbs, coconut and almonds. Press firmly into an ungreased 8x8-inch pan. (The butter may ooze as you are pressing down, but it will get absorbed.).
3. Middle layer: Cream 1/2 cup butter, cream, custard powder, vanilla and icing sugar together. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer.
4. Top layer: Melt together chocolate squares and 2 Tablespoons butter. Let cool until barely warm but still liquid. Spread over middle layer. (The middle layer may melt a bit, but that is okay.).
5. Chill and store in fridge.