I hesitate to post the recipe because most of you are probably still faithfully adhering to your new year's resolutions to eat well, exercise more, etc. More power to you. Just keep this in mind around Valentine's Day. Who doesn't need a little chocolate by then?
These bars are rich. Make that RICH! So have a small slice and be sure to have your coffee or milk at the ready. Dig in!
nanaimo bars
Base layer:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup egg beaters
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Middle layer:
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
2-3 tablespoons milk
Top layer:
2 tablespoons butter or shortening
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
To make the base layer, mix the butter, white sugar, cocoa, egg and vanilla in a heavy sauce pan or double boiler. Stir over low heat until mixture is well combined. Add graham cracker crumbs, coconut and walnuts to the mixture. Mix well and pack into buttered 9 inch square cake pan using your hands or the back of a spoon to even out the layer. Refrigerate.
For the middle layer, cream the butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, pudding mix, and milk. Beat until creamy and spread over the chilled base layer. Refrigerate until the middle layer has hardened.
For the top layer, melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler (or for about 1 minute in the microwave, taking care not to scorch the chocolate) and drizzle over custard icing. Refrigerate.
After about 10 minutes, remove the bars from the refrigerator and score the chocolate layer into 1" square pieces with a sharp knife. Return to the refrigerator. When totally hardened (1-2 hours), cut into square bars along the score marks.
Yumm!
