Nanaimo Bar - Legendary

By cmcrobb

According to local legend about 35 years ago, a Nanaimo BC housewife entered her recipe for chocolate squares in a magazine contest. In a burst of civic pride, she chose to name them "Nanaimo Bars". The entry won a prize, thereby publishing the town as much as her cooking. In 1986, Nanaimo Mayor initiated a contest to find the ultimate Nanaimo Bar Recipe. The winner: Joyce Hardcastle, this is her recipe.

Ingredients

• Bottom Layer:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (European style cultured)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 1/4 cup graham wafer crumbs
• 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
• 1 cup coconut
• Second Layer:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoon and 2 teaspoon cream
• 2 tablespoon vanilla custard powder
• 2 cups icing sugar
• Third Layer:
• 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. each)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Details

Servings 16

Preparation

Step 1

Bottom Layer:
Melt first 3 ingredients in top of double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut, and nuts. Press firmly into an ungreased 8" x 8" pan.
Second Layer:
Cream butter, cream, custard powder and icing sugar together well. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer.
Third Layer:
Melt chocolate and butter overlow heat. Cool. Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.