Nanaimo Bars

I need sweet.

I'm craving it.  Maybe because I'm still in what I call "training mode" for a 5K run.  Maybe I'm finally over all the savory dips I made this weekend.  Maybe it's from the tangy goodness I enjoyed last night in the form of Chicken Spiedie.  I can't quite tell you why I woke up this morning with the urge to eat boatloads of sugar, but it happened.

So, if you're me, and you're craving sweets while consciously aware that it could be a LONG while before you're next fix... you're going to go all out.

Therefore, I broke down, cursed my non-existent willpower and made Nanaimo Bars.

These bars contain almost all of my favorite food groups.  There's chocolate, walnuts, vanilla, graham crackers and coconut, and it's all in one little, or large, no-bake square.

God bless Canada.


Nanaimo Bars

Crust
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 egg
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Pudding Layer
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 tbsp milk
2 tbsp vanilla pudding mix
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups Confectioner's sugar

Chocolate Layer
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tbsp butter


For the pudding layer, combine butter, milk, Confectioner's sugar and pudding.  Beat the mixture on medium for 2-3 minutes.  Chill in the refrigerator.

Use a double-boiler to combine butter, sugar and cocoa powder.  Gradually incorporate the egg.  Once the mixture becomes thickened, remove from heat and add the walnuts, coconut and graham cracker crumbs.

Using the double boiler again, melt the chocolate and butter until smooth.

Spread the thick graham-cracker/coconut mixture into the bottom of a 8" square pan.  On top, spread on the pudding mixture.  Top with melted chocolate.  Garnish with a little extra shredded coconut.



Listening to:   The Beatles - Baby, You Can Drive My Car