4th of July Nanaimo Bars

Even though we’re focusing on creative patriotic goodies this week, I couldn’t let today go by without celebrating Canada Day! Today is Canada’s national holiday (and my daughter’s 1st birthday!), so we thought we’d show you the best of both countries. Nanaimo Bars are a delicious treat that you can find all over Canada. They’re named after a city in British Columbia, but they’re readily available on the east coast too! They look fancy and difficult, but they’re actually a fairly easy no bake bar, which make them perfect for celebrating during the heat of Summer!

Normally Nanaimo Bars have a filling that is yellow from the custard powder, but to make them 4th of July appropriate, I made the filling red, white and blue using Gel paste food color. I experimented with adding in different flavors, but I couldn’t make them taste better, so we’re going with the original flavor and new color! Bird’s Custard Powder  is what makes these extra special, but if you can’t find it, you can use vanilla pudding powder in a pinch. I can find Bird’s at my local HEB and at World Market, but you can also get it delivered right to your door!

Bottom Layer

• 1/2 c. butter
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1/3 c. cocoa
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 3/4 c. graham cracker crumbs
• 3/4 c. coconut

Frosting Layer

• 1/2 c. butter, softened
• 3 Tbsp. milk
• 3 Tbsp. vanilla custard powder
• 2 1/4 c. icing sugar

Top Layer

• 1 1/4 c. chocolate chips
• 1/4 c. butter

Instructions:

1. Line a 9 x 9 baking pan with parchment.
2. Melt the butter, sugar and cocoa in a heavy saucepan.
3. Add the egg. Stir to cook and thicken. Remove the pan from heat.
4. Stir in crumbs and coconut and press into a 9×9 ungreased pan.
5. In a separate bowl, beat together milk, custard powder and powdered sugar until light and creamy.
6. Divide the frosting into three separate bowls, and add red food coloring to one bowl, and blue food coloring to another bowl.
7. Beginning with the blue frosting, spread a layer over the graham layer, and place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
8. Remove pan from freezer and spread the white layer of frosting and return to the freezer.
9. Finish with the red layer.
10. Place pan in freezer while making the top layer.
11. Melt chocolate chips and butter together over low heat, or in the microwave. Cool for about ten minutes.
12. Pour chocolate over the frosting layer and spread to cover the entire pan.
13. Chill in refrigerator
14. When you’re ready to serve, pull the parchment paper out, and cut the bars on a cutting board.