Nanaimo Bars - January Daring Bakers' Challenge

The January 2010 Daring Bakers' Challenge was hosted by Lauren of Celiac Teen. Lauren chose Gluten-Free Graham Wafers and Nanaimo Bars as the challenge for the month. The sources she based her recipe on are 101 Cookbooks and www.nanaimo.ca.  Nanaimo bars are a classic Canadian dessert, and so very appropriate with the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver just around the corner. I opted to use gluten in my bars, but otherwise followed the recipe. These are very rich!

 

NANAIMO BARS

INGREDIENTS - BOTTOM LAYER
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 large egg, beaten
1 1/4 cups graham wafer crumbs
1/2 cup almonds, finely chopped
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

INGREDIENTS - MIDDLE LAYER
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons vanilla pudding mix
2 cups powdered sugar

INGREDIENTS - TOP LAYER
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS
1. For Bottom Layer: Melt butter, sugar, and cocoa in the top of a double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, nuts, and coconut. Press firmly into an ungreased 8 x 8 inch pan.
2. For Middle Layer: Cream butter, heavy cream, pudding mix, and powdered sugar in a mixer bowl. Beat until light in color. Spread over bottom layer.
3. For Top Layer: Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool. Once cool, pour over middle layer and chill.