Nanaimo bars

We interrupt this blog break to bring you....Nanaimo bars...my most favourite Christmas treat.  I only make them once a year because I can't resist them (and they are 3 layers and I am a bit lazy).  They were invented in Nanaimo, British Columbia (hence the name) by Michael Buble's grandmother (totally joking on the Michael Buble's grandmother thing...although I'm sure someone's grandmother invented them).

Here is the recipe:

Base: 2 cups graham wafer crumbs

1 cup coconut

1/2 cup walnuts 

5 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder

5 TBS white sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 beaten egg

1 tsp vanilla

Filling:

1/4 cup butter

2 cups icing sugar

3 TBS milk

2 TBS Bird's Custard powder (use instant vanilla pudding powder if you can't find custard powder)

Topping:

4 squares melted semi-sweet chocolate

Method:  In a saucepan combine sugar, cocoa, butter, vanilla and egg and stir over medium heat until butter melts and mixture thickens like pudding (approx 5 minutes)

Remove from heat and add coconut, walnuts, and graham crumbs

 Press mixture into an 8 inch square pan (mine is shown in a 9X11 pan).  Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile mix up your filling ingredients

 Spread filling over base and put it back in the fridge for another 30 minutes

Melt chocolate and spread over the top.  I usually leave it for about 10 minutes  for the chocolate to partially set then cut into squares while the chocolate is still soft.  Refrigerate for an hour or so before you lift the squares out.

Enjoy...maybe invite Micheal Buble over for coffee..or whatever..