Nanaimo Bars

This is a classic Nanaimo Bar recipe. Best Canadian treat ever. I'm including some instructions on how to make them without Bird's Custard Powder, since I've never been able to find it in the states. They aren't as good, but they still taste yummy, especially if you are really craving a nanaimo bar.

Nanaimo Bars

Bottom Layer:                           
   -1/2 C Butter                                
   -1/2 C Sugar                                
   -1/3 C Cocoa                                
   -1 Egg, slightly beaten                  
   -2 C Graham Cracker Crumbs
   -1 C Coconut

 Middle Layer:
   -1/2 C Butter
   - 1/4 C Cream
   -2 Tbsp Custard Powder
   -2 to 4 C Icing Sugar

Top Layer:
    -1 1/2 or 2 C Chocolate Chips

Bottom Layer:
-in a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the sugar and cocoa until the sugar is dissolved.
-add the egg and cook until the mixture has thickened slightly
-mix in the graham crackers and coconut and press into a 9 x 13 pan. let cool.

Middle Layer:
-Mix the cream with the custard powder until smooth. Whip it in with the butter and icing sugar. Add more cream if it's too dry or more icing sugar if the mixture is too soft.
-You'll want the end result to be fairly thick in consistency. Thick enough to be able to spread melted chocolate over.

Top Layer:
-melt the chocolate chips and spread on top. Chill and then cut into squares.

Making Nanaimo Bars without custard powder:
Substitute the custard powder with 2 Tbsp of instant vanilla pudding + 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix the pudding with the cream until the sugar has dissolved completely (or else your middle layer will be gritty instead of smooth.)