After my post yesterday about a traditional Canadian treat of butter tart squares I had a few requests for another Canadian bar recipe... Nanaimo Bars. They are also pictured in the photo below.According to local legend about 35 years ago, a housewife from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island entered her recipe for chocolate squares in a magazine contest. In a burst of civic pride, she chose to dub the entry "Nanaimo Bars". The entry won a prize, thereby putting nanaimo on the map. The official Nanaimo Bar recipe was available as a handout as well as on quality tea towel and apron souvenirs. In 1986, Nanaimo Mayor Graeme Roberts, in conjunction with Harbour Park Mall, initiated a contest to find the ultimate Nanaimo Bar Recipe. During the four-week long contest, almost 100 different variations of the famous confectionery were submitted. The winner: Joyce Hardcastle. This is her recipe.
The photo is of the very first decoration I ever put on my tree when I was 15.
**Nanaimo Bar **
Bottom Layer
½ cup unsalted butter (European style cultured)
¼ cup sugar
5 T. cocoa
1 egg beaten
1 ¼ cups graham wafer crumbs
½ cup 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 T. and 2 tsp. cream
2 T. 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 T. unsalted butter
Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool. Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.
Try these variations.
