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NANAIMO BARS

For years, we had flipped by this recipe in "Our Favorite Desserts: Favorites from Home Economics Teachers," but it wasn't until a trip to Vancouver, B.C., where they were mentioned as a local favorite, that we were inspired to make these delicious, rich bars. And no baking required! The dessert was probably named after the city of Nanaimo, which is on Vancouver Island. The recipe was submitted to the collection by Annett Fjellman of Manson, Wash.

• 1/2 cup butter of margarine, softened
  
• 1/4 cup sugar
  
• 5 tablespoons cocoa
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
  
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about one packet plus 4 additional graham crackers)
  
• 1 cup coconut
  
• 1/2 cup nuts, chopped

Place butter, sugar, cocoa, vanilla and egg in top of double boiler. Stir well until mixture resembles custard, about 3 minutes.

Add cracker crumbs, coconut and nuts, blending well.

Pack firmly in a 9-inch pan.

Icing

• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter, divided
  
• 3 tablespoons milk
  
• 2 tablespoons vanilla pudding mix
  
• 2 cups powdered sugar
  
• 4 squares semisweet chocolate

Cream 1/4 cup butter and milk with vanilla pudding mix; blend in powdered sugar. Spread over chocolate mixture in pan. Let stand about 15 minutes to firm.

Melt chocolate with 1 tablespoon butter; spread over custard icing.

When set, cut into 12 bars.

Makes 1 dozen.

Thursday, October 10, 2002