Chocolate lovers take note-Nanaimo Bars

These are a Canadian favorite, named after Nanaimo, B.C. My mother would make these with green frosting for Christmas. I just may have to make them this year. Here's some more information on these scrumptious bars from the JoyofBaking.com. I know this accounting isn't exactly accurate, because I've been enjoying Nanaimo Bars more than 35 years myself, I first remember eating them in the 1950's.

Nanaimo Bars (or N.B.s for short) are one of Canada's favorite confections. The beautiful City of Nanaimo, British Columbia lays claim to these squares, telling us on their website that it all began when a Nanaimo housewife entered a recipe for chocolate squares in a magazine contest some 35 years ago. She called her recipe 'Nanaimo Bars' and when she won the contest, not only did her dessert become popular throughout Canada, so did the town they were named after. Whether this story is true or not, we will never know, but what we do know is that these bars are delicious; a three layered square with a crumb base, followed by a layer of light custard buttercream, that is topped with a smooth layer of chocolate.

Ingredients:
½ cup butter 2 cups graham wafer crumbs
¼ cup sugar 1 cup coconut
5 Tbl cocoa ½ cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp vanilla 1 egg

Directions:
Place softened butter, sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and egg in bowl. Set in a dish of boiling water. Stir well until butter has melted and mixture resembles custard. Combine crumbs (28 single graham crackers) coconut, and nuts, blending well. Add to cooked mixture. Pack evenly in a 9 inch square pan. Spread with icing.

ICING: Cream ¼ cup butter. Add 3 Tbl milk which has been combined with 2 Tbl vanilla pudding powder. Blend in 2 cups confectioners’ sugar. Put icing on top of previous mixture.

Let stand 15 minutes to harden slightly.
Melt 4 squares of semi-sweet chocolate with 1 Tbl butter and frost top with this.