Growing up I never realized two very important things about Claudia’s Nanaimo Bars. Number 1 – they are a classic Canadian dessert. Number 2 – they are delicious! Like a spoiled brat child, I didn’t really care for Nanaimo Bars. I’m fairly certain it was the texture of the coconut. I wasn’t a huge fan. Fun fact: to this day I’m still not a fan of Bounty chocolate bars either! However as I got older and my palate became more sophisticated, I learned to love these Nanaimo Bars in all their glory. To this day, Claudia only makes these beauties for Christmas. I think that is part of the appeal. Sweet, creamy and chocolatey rich, they are definitely a once a year treat that everyone should enjoy.

You will need:

For the bars:

1/2 cup butter

5 tbsp cocoa powder

1 cup coconut

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

5 tbsp white sugar

2 cups graham wafer crumbs

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

For the icing:

4 tbsp butter

2 tbsp vanilla custard pudding powder

5 squares melted semi-sweet chocolate

5 tbsp milk

2 cups sifted icing sugar

1 tbsp butter

Mix wafer crumbs, coconut and nuts together in a bowl

Soften butter, sugar, cocoa vanilla and egg in a separate bowl

Stir until mixture is like a custard

Add your mixed dry ingredients to cocoa mixture

Press mixture onto an ungreased 9×9 inch square pan and set aside.

Now onto the filling and icing!

Cream 4 tbsp butter

Separately combine milk with custard pudding powder

In a bowl, add butter to custard pudding mixture

Mix in sifted icing sugar

Beat until smooth

Spread over chocolate base

Allow layers to harden

In the mean time, make the top chocolate glaze layer

Melt chocolate squares in microwave or double boiler and combine with 1 tbsp butter

Spread evenly on top of the layers

Chocolatey goodness

Allow to set completely or refrigerate if desired

Yummy layers of chocolate, vanilla and coconut

Decadent and rich

How could a kid not fall in love with this dessert?

Enjoy.