sweet and pea

I was very excited to make Nanaimo bars because it’s one of my favourite bars, but something I tend to buy rather than make. My husband doesn’t like Nanaimo bars as he finds them too sweet (more for me!). However, he has since amended his position, apparently he only dislikes store bought Nanaimo bars, homemade he’ll eat.

There are a number of recipes online, but the classic is on the city of Nanaimos website. I never have custard powder on hand so I made a few small changes.

Ingredients:

Layer One

1/2 cup unsalted butter 

1/4 cup sugar

5 tbsp. cocoa

1 egg beaten

1 3/4 cups crushed graham wafers

1/2 cup finely chopped blanched almonds

1 cup unsweetened coconut

Steps:

1. Line 8X8 pan with parchment paper, allow parchment to overhang two sides of the pan
2. Place a bowl over gently simmering water and combine butter, sugar, and cocoa until melted
3. Mix egg into warm butter mixture
4. combine remaining ingredients
5. Press mixture into pan

Ingredients:

Layer Two

1/2 cup unsalted butter

2-4 Tbsp cream

1 vanilla bean, scraped (or 1-2 teaspoon vanilla extract)

2 cups icing sugar

Steps:

1. Beat butter and icing sugar until fluffy
2. Beat in vanilla and 2 tablespoons of cream
3. Add cream 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached
4. Spread over first layer and refrigerate

Layer 3

Ingredients:

4 oz dark chocolate

2 tbsp unsalted butter

Steps:

1. Place a bowl over gently simmering water and melt butter and chocolate
2. Allow mixture to cool to just above room temperature
3. Pour over second layer and smooth with an offset palette knife
4. Refrigerate until set and cold
5. Using the parchment pull up bars and slice