Happy Canada Day everyone!
I didn't get a chance to make these yummy treats for our now scuttled Canada Day party, but they are a fan fave around our house... and very Canadian... for those who don't know, Nanaimo is a city on Vancouver Island in BC and this is their official recipe...
Nanaimo Bar Recipe
Bottom Layer
½ cup unsalted butter (European style cultured)
¼ cup sugar
5 tbsp. cocoa
1 egg beaten
1 ¼ cups graham wafer crumbs
½ c. finely chopped almonds
1 cup coconut
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
½ cup unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. and 2 Tsp. cream
2 Tbsp. vanilla custard powder
2 cups icing sugar
Cream butter, cream, custard powder, and icing sugar together well. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer.
Third Layer
4 squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. each)
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
Melt chocolate and butter overlow heat. Cool. Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.
Cook's notes: I have, in the past, changed up the middle flavour - sometimes mint, butterscotch or coffee and if you can't find custard powder, vanilla pudding mix works in a pinch... also, to make them gluten free, I have substituted GF rolled oats or crushed gingersnaps for the graham crackers with good success. to make them hubby friendly (nut-free), I have omitted the ground almonds, just rounding up the graham crackers and coconut a bit and not missed them either...
Heather's back update: so far, it seems to be getting better as long as I neither overdo or stay in one place too long.. I have been trying to stretch it out gently and am relying on Wayne and Robyn's help with Liam since I can't lift him right now... but otherwise seem to be better managing the pain...
