July 1: Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo Bars

Base
8 tablespoons (4 oz) unsalted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large pasteurized egg, lightly beaten
5 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup chopped and toasted pecans
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Filling
4 tablespoons (2 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups confectioners' sugar, lightly spooned
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding or custard powder
2-3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 oz semisweet chocolate

1. Line a 9x13 pan with nonstick foil.
2. Make the base: In the top of a double boiler or in a mixing bowl set over but not touching a pan of simmering water, melt the butter. Remove from the heat and whisk in the sugar, egg, and cocoa powder. Return the pan to the heat and whisk for about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the graham cracker crumbs, pecans, and coconut. Spread in the prepared pan and press down tightly. Chill the pan while you make the second layer.
3. Make the filling: In a medium-size mixing bowl, stir together the butter and confectioners' sugar, then beat with a handheld mixer until fluffy. Beat in the pudding mix, milk, and vanilla. Spread the filling over the cooled crust, and then chill for about an hour.
4. Make the topping: In the top of a double boiler, or in the microwave using 50% power, melt the butter and the chocolate, stirring at 1-minute intervals. Spread the melted chocolate over the custard layer and chill until set. When ready to serve, lift from the pan, set the bars on a cutting board, and cut into 32 squares.

If you use the fresh stacks like me, it took 3 packets

Addition of the egg, sugar and cocoa powder

Addition of pecans, graham cracker crumbs, coconut

1st attempt in the microwave

Tried to save it by putting it over the stovetop to melt...fail.

2nd attempt by stovetop

Fail.

3rd attempt...I should've thrown it out instead of putting it on the top

4th attempt to put on top of the other stuff....just melted chocolate in a double boiler...no butter

Finally the finished product!

Thoughts: I had a lot of problems with melting the chocolate for the topping. As you can see by the pics, it took 4 attempts. It was crazy I must've wasted 24 oz of chocolate chips. Other than that there were no issues except they were kind of blah tasting. I think we each ate one bite.