Cookbook:Chocolate and Custard Layered Dessert (Nanaimo Bar)

| Desserts

Nanaimo Bars are a layered chocolate and custard dessert named after the mining town, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. This winning recipe was submitted by Joyce Hardcastle in 1986 when the City of Nanaimo and Harbour Park Mall had a contest to find the best Nanaimo Bar recipe. Variations of this recipe include using different nuts and/or adding flavours to the custard layer.

Bottom layer

 * ½ cup unsalted butter (European style cultured)
 * ¼ cup white granulated sugar
 * 5 tbsp cocoa
 * 1 egg beaten
 * 1¼ cups graham wafer crumbs
 * ½ cups finely-chopped almonds
 * 1 cup coconut

Middle layer

 * ½ cup unsalted butter
 * 2 tbsp and 2 tsp cream
 * 2 tbsp vanilla custard powder
 * 2 cups icing sugar

Top layer

 * 4 squares (4 oz) semi-sweet chocolate
 * 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Bottom layer

 * 1) Melt first 3 ingredients in top of double boiler.
 * 2) Add egg and stir to cook and thicken.
 * 3) Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut, and nuts.
 * 4) Press firmly into an ungreased 8 x 8-inch cake pan.

Middle layer

 * 1) Cream butter, cream, custard powder, and icing sugar together well. Beat until light.
 * 2) Spread over bottom layer.

Top layer

 * 1) Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool.
 * 2) Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.
 * 3) Once set, cut into squares and serve. Enjoy.