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3 Nanaimo bars piled up on a white plate
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Nanaimo Bars

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup butter softened
  • 1/4 Cup white sugar
  • 5 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1-3/4 Cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 Cup flaked coconut
  • 1/2 Cup finely chopped almonds optional
  • 1/2 Cup butter softened
  • 3 Tbsp heavy cream
  • 2 Tbsp custard powder
  • 2 Cups confectioners sugar
  • 4 1oz squares semi sweet baking chocolate
  • 2 Tsp butter

Instructions

  • In the top of a double boiler - combine 1/2 cup butter, white sugar, and cocoa powder. Stir often until melted and smooth. Beat in the egg, stirring until thick - about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and mix in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and almonds (if using). Press into the bottom of an untreated 8x8 inch pan.
  • For the middle layer, cream together 1/2 cup butter, heavy cream, and custard powder until light and fluffy. Mix in the confectioners sugar until creamy. Spread over the bottom layer in the pan. Refrigerate to set.
  • After the bars have chilled & set; melt the semisweet chocolate and 2 teaspoons of butter together in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. Spread the mixture over the chilled bars. Let the chocolate set up before cutting in to squares. You can refrigerate the bars to speed that process up if you like.

Notes

I can find custard powder at most grocery stores in the ethnic aisle where you buy English ingredients. It’s also available online on Amazon. You can also switch it out for equal amounts of instant vanilla pudding mix in a pinch. It won’t be exactly the same, it will have a sweeter and more vanilla flavor - but it will still be delicious.