Baked-bottom Nanaimo Bars

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 (5.1 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 1/4 cups milk
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut

Recipe

Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Ready Time: 2 hrs 25 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). butter an 8x8-inch square baking pan.
• in a large mixing bowl, beat unsalted butter with sugar with an electric mixer until very creamy, about 1 minute. add the egg and cocoa powder, and beat until the ingredients are well mixed. pour in the graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup coconut, and almonds, and beat on low speed until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
• bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, and let the crust cool.
• melt chocolate chips with 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over very low heat, stirring until well blended. remove from the heat, allow to cool for several minutes, then spread the chocolate mixture over the crust in a smooth layer. refrigerate the dish while you make the next layer.
• beat the pudding mix and milk in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until the pudding is thick and smooth, about 2 minutes. spread the pudding over the chocolate layer; sprinkle the dish with 1/4 cup coconut, cover loosely, and refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 1 hour.