Nanaimo Bars

These are only known to my family as Grandma's Chocolate Squares. My paternal grandmother made these and my mother took to making them for Christmas. I don't recall a Christmas without them. However, when my older brother discovered that they weren't Grandma's creation, but instead a winning recipe from Nanaimo, B.C., well, we may have been disillusioned, but we weren't all too sad. After all, we still have the recipe!

These are layered and luscious -- so rich that I only make one pan -- although, you know the kids would like a pan each.

Hands-On Time: 30 minutes
Ready In: 1 hour
Yield: 36 1-1/2-inch squares

1/2 C butter, softened
3 T milk
2 T instant vanilla pudding
2 C powdered sugar

1/2 C Butter
1/4 C granulated sugar
1 egg
5 T cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
2 C graham cracker crumbs
1 C coconut
1/2 C chopped walnuts

1 6-oz. package chocolate chips

1. First Layer: Mix butter, sugar, eggs, cocoa, & vanilla over hot water until it resembles custard.
2. Add the crumbs, coconutand walnuts.
3. Press into a 9 X 9-inch square pan.
4. Cool.
5. Second Layer: Cream butter, milk and pudding together, then blend in powdered sugar.
6. Spread over the first layer and let stand for 15 minutes.
7. Third Layer: Melt chocolate and spread over the second layer.
8. Cut into squares.