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Nanaimo Bars

These bars are names for the city (Nanaimo) in British Columbia.

type: bars
makes: 16

Bottom layer
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Middle Layer
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup custard pudding (instant vanilla pudding may be substituted)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup milk

Top Layer
3 squares dark chocolate
1 tablespoons butter

Bottom layer:
Lightly grease a 8" square pan.
In a saucepan, heat the butter, sugar, eggs, and chocolate chips.
Heat and stir until mixture thickens.
Add graham cracker crumbs, walnuts, and coconut.
Press into pan.
Cream together the butter, pudding, and powdered sugar.
Add the milk.
Spread over first layer.
Chill.
Melt chips and butter together.
Spread over top.
Chill at least 1 hour.
Cut into bars.
 
Reviews
 
Paul Severson from USA
This is a great recipe to make. The 3 layers in these bars combine beautifully. The recipe calls for using an 8X8 pan, but I made mine in a 9X13 pan, so I had to adjust ingredients accordingly. I used custard powder which I think works better than the vanilla pudding substitute recommended...

Kristin from Ottawa, Canada
The ultimate treat! If you can get Bird's custard powder (easily found in Canada and the UK, at least), replace the middle layer with 2 tablespoons of Bird's mixed with three tablespoons of milk, then mixed into 1/4 cup butter and 2 cups icing sugar. You'll find a tin of Bird's in many Canadian cupboards just for making Nanaimo Bars! Nut allergy sufferers (or their thoughtful hosts!) can replace the walnuts with an equal measure of coconut, or just leave them out.

Charity Hide from Canada
Nanaimo bars are wonderful... TheCookieTin recipe is the standard, and I've been making these for over 30 years. Visitors from other countries cannot seem to get enough of them. WE often add sunflower seeds to the base, and any kind of nuts that are on hand.