Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo Bars (recipe from Grandma Low)

Bottom Layer

1/2 c. butter 1 3/4 c. graham wafer crumbs
1/4 c. sugar 1 c. fine coconut
5 T. cocoa 1/2. finely chopped waltnuts or pecans
1 egg beaten

Melt first three ingredients in top od double boiler or in a heavy saucepan. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press firmly into a 9x9 pan.

Second layer- icing

1/2 c. butter
3 T. milk
2 T. vanilla custard powder
2-3 c. icing sugar

Heat butter and milk. Add to custard powder and icing sugar. Start with 2 cups of icing sugar and if it seems too soft, add more. It does set up some when cold. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer. Chill.

Third layer- Chocolate

4 (1-oz.) swaure semi-sweet chocolate or 2/3 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 T. butter

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool. When cool but still runny spread over icing layer. Chill. Use a sharp knife to cut.

Recipe note: This has become a Canadian standard, at least in Southern Alberta.

My Grandparents used to live in Lethbridge Alberta and their home had a little sliding glass door in the kitchen that led to a mud room before you went into the backyard. It always seemed like grandma had some sort of dessert tray or cake hiding in there, so it was a fun room to raid. Most times there were chocolate cakes with the fluffy white icing, or a bundt cake of some sort, millionaire squares or hello dollies, but my favorite is when you found some nanimo bars! When I'm feeling a little homesick, I make a batch of them to remember the old country. I have this small tin of the bird's custard powder that is so precious to me! I love taking them to ward events or gatherings because no one has ever had them before, and everyone ends up loving them! They've got to be one of my fondest desserts, so there you are! A little Canadian treat!
- Karen Sandstrom (sister)