Recipe- Super Delicious Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo Bars are a classic Canadian Christmas dessert. The holidays wouldn't be the same without them. This is my mom's recipe and it is less sweet than most. That's a good thing! They are made with a chocolate graham cracker, coconut, and walnut crust then topped with a layer of buttery custard and chocolate. They're amazing!

Ingredients

Bottom Layer

½ cup butter
5 tablespoons cocoa powder
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 ¾ cup Graham cracker crumbs, gluten-free if needed
¾ cup fine coconut
¼ cup chopped walnuts

Middle Layer

3 cups powdered sugar
¾ cup butter, softened
¼ cup milk
¼ cup Bird's vanilla custard powder

Top Layer

8 ounces shaved dark chocolate or chocolate chips
4 tablespoons butter

Method

Bottom Layer

* Lay a piece of parchment paper in a 9×11 inch pan, letting some hang over the sides. (This makes it easier to remove the Nanaimo bars.)

* Melt the butter in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar.

* Remove the pot from the heat then add the egg and whisk until it had thickened, about 30 seconds. Stir in the Graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and walnuts.

* Press the crust firmly into the prepared pan.

Middle Layer

* Add all the middle layer ingredients to a large bowl and cream them together using electric beaters. Pour the custard over the first layer and smooth the top.

* Place the pan in your fridge for at least 20 minutes, or until the custard is firm.

Top Layer

* Add the chocolate and butter to a medium-sized pan over low heat and let both melt. Whisk to combine then pour the chocolate over the custard. Smooth the top first with a spatula then by gently tapping the pan on your counter.

* Chill in your fridge for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate is soft-set. Cut the Nanaimo bars into bars then place them back in your fridge until they are completely set. (Cutting the bars first prevents the chocolate from cracking.)

* Store the bars in a covered container in your fridge for a week or up to three months in your freezer. The bars can be eaten cold or at room temperature – they take only about 10 minutes to warm once out of the fridge.