Sunshine Coast-style Nanaimo Bars

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• bottom layer:
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• middle layer:
• 1/3 cup butter at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons custard powder (such as bird's® custard powder)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup blackberries
• top layer:
• 12 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
• 2 tablespoons butter

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Ready Time: 2 hrs 20 mins


• melt 1/2 cup of butter in a saucepan over low heat, and stir in the sugar and cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth. whisk in egg and vanilla extract, remove from heat, and stir in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and walnuts until well combined. press the mixture into a 9x9-inch square pan, and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
• place 1/3 cup of room temperature butter into a mixing bowl, and stir custard powder and milk into the butter to make a smooth, creamy mixture. stir in confectioners' sugar, about 1 cup at a time, until the mixture is very smooth, with no lumps. lightly stir in the blackberries. spread the filling on the chilled crust in an even layer, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set up.
• melt chocolate and 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over very low heat, stirring until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. remove from heat, and pour over the filling layer, spreading the topping over the filling to cover completely. return to refrigerator, and allow to set until firm, at least 30 minutes. to cut, dip a very sharp knife into boiling water, and cut into squares with the hot knife.