Nainaimo Bars

We raised our family in Toronto - so these Canadian cookies are a favorite.

Thanks to Taste of Home for this perfect recipe

Of course - I had to double it for our family. I hope that's enough!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
3/4 cup butter, cubed
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped almonds, optional

FILLING:

2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons 2% milk

GLAZE:
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

Line an 8-in. square baking pan with foil, letting ends extend over sides by 1 in. In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar and cocoa; add butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until butter is melted. Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into eggs. Return all to the pan, whisking constantly. Cook and stir until mixture reaches 160°. Remove from heat. Stir in cracker crumbs, coconut and, if desired, almonds. Press into prepared pan. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set.

For filling, in a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, pudding mix, butter and milk until smooth; spread over crust.

In a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Spread over top. Refrigerate until set. Using foil, lift bars out of pan. Discard foil; cut into bars.