Nanaimo Bars - Delicious!

There's just something about Nanaimo Bars... You can't eat just one! I have been wanting to make these bars ever since I came across the recipe. Although their presentation did not turn out quite as I had anticipated, the taste was decadent and delicious. These bars had just the right amount of coconut flavor and the crushed walnuts add that little extra to the bottom layer.

 

Ingredients 

Bottom Layer - 
1/2 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup of white sugar 
1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa 
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
1 cup of sweetened coconut 
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts


Middle Layer - 
1/4 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
2 - 3 tbsp of milk 
2 tbsp of vanilla pudding powder
1/2 tsp of pure vanilla extract
2 cups of confectioners sugar 


Top Layer - 
4 ounces of semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tbsp of unsalted butter

Butter or spray a 9 x 9 inch pan with a non stick vegetable spray (or PAM). 

Bottom Layer: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the sugar and cocoa powder and then gradually whisk in the beaten egg. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens (1 - 2 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, graham cracker crumbs, coconut and chopped walnuts. Press the mixture evenly onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate until firm (about an hour). 

Middle Layer: In your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until the mixture is smooth. If the mixture is too thick to spread, add a little more milk. Spread the filling over the bottom layer, cover and refrigerate until firm (about 30 minutes).

Top Layer: In a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (or using a double boiler), melt the chocolate and butter. Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the filling and refrigerate until the chocolate has set.

Sweet Treat Indeed :)