Named after the West-Coast city of Nanaimo, British Columbia, this layered bar is one of Canada's favorite and best known confections.

Nanaimo Bars

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
5 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups powdered sugar
6 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract

1. Cream together 1/2 cup butter, sugar, unsweetened baking cocoa, vanilla, and egg. Mix well with graham cracker crumbs, chopped nuts, and coconut. Pat into a 9 x 9-inch pan. Refrigerate.
2. Next, cream 1/4 cup butter with milk; add instant vanilla pudding mix and powdered sugar. Spread this over the first mixture.
3. Lastly, in a sauce pan over low heat melt semi-sweet baking chocolate, add butter and peppermint extract. Spread this over all and chill before cutting into bars.

Makes 9 bars.