Nanaimo Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 beaten egg
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, optional
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons vanilla custard powder
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
• 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

Follow each step in order. The directions below are written so a beginner can understand what to do, what to look for, and when to move on to the next step.

1. Step 1.Cream the base butter with sugar and cocoa, then blend in the beaten egg over gentle heat until the mixture thickens.
2. Step 2.Fold the graham crumbs, coconut, optional walnuts and salt through the cocoa mixture until every crumb is coated.
3. Step 3.Press the base firmly into a lined square pan, level the surface, and chill it while preparing the custard layer.
4. Step 4.Beat the filling butter with milk or cream, custard powder, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth and spreadable.
5. Step 5.Spread the custard filling evenly over the cold base, keeping the layer level so the finished bars cut neatly.
6. Step 6.Melt the baking chocolate with the remaining butter just until smooth; do not overheat it or the top may seize.
7. Step 7.Spread the chocolate quickly over the filling and chill only until the topping is set but not rock-hard.
8. Step 8.Cut with a warm dry knife and keep the bars chilled until serving for clean, defined layers.