Nanaimo Bars

NANAIMO BARS

CRUST

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 egg

1 cup chopped pecans

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

FILLING
1/2 cup  butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
2 tablespoons milk

ICING

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter

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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Lightly grease a 9" x 13" pan.

To make the crust:

Place all of the crust ingredients in a mixing bowl, and beat at medium speed combined.
Press mixture into prepared pan, and bake for 10 minutes.
Remove pan from oven, and set it aside to cool.

To make the filling:

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine softened butter, 1 cup powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth.
In a small bowl, combine instant vanilla pudding mix with milk, stirring until smooth.
Add the pudding mixture to the butter/sugar mixture, stirring to combine.
Add the remaining powdered sugar, and beat until the filling is smooth.
Spread it over the cooled crust, cover, and refrigerate until chilled.

To make the icing:
Heat milk for 20 seconds in microwave in 2-cup measuring cup.
Add butter to warm milk, and stir until butter melts.
Add chocolate chips to warm mixture and again stir until all is melted and smooth.
Spread onto the chilled bars and refrigerate again until the chocolate is set.

Cut into rectangles to serve.

The bars will be very stiff when cold, but will soften quickly at room temperature.
Store covered, in the refrigerator, for up to 1 week. These bars also freeze well.

Yield: 20 bars

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