Progressive Dinner
In May I was called to be the Secretary of the Relief Society in our ward here in Greybull. Having never had a calling in my life before I was super nervous (to be honest I still am and feel totally inadequate) but I decided to use any and every opportunity to throw myself into my calling. When we were planning out Progressive Dinner I opened my big mouth and said I would love to be one of the homes that the sisters visited for dinner. Well I didnt realize how stressful or how much work was actually required for such a feat...especially with 2 children who require a lot of attention and destroy everything I clean as I cleaned it. But I did it! We decided to do an "Around the world" theme for meals and I decided on Canada as my sister in law had raved about these "Nanaimo Bars" I looked up the recipe and was pretty impressed at how well these turned out and tasted.
Nanaimo Bars
Bottom Layer:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup Ghiradelli ground chocolate (I used 1/4 cup cocoa /1/4 cup white sugar)
1 egg beaten
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
Middle Layer:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 TBSP half & half (i actually used more....like 5 TBSP)
2 TBSP powdered vanilla pudding (of the instant variety)
2 Cups Powdered sugar
Top Layer:
1 cup Chocolate (milk or Dark) chips
1 TBSP Crisco
Instructions:
Line the bottom of a 9x9 inch pan with parchment paper or non stick foil
Bottom Layer: In a 300* oven, toast the coconut and chopped pecans until golden brown and fragrant, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and set aside. In the top of a double boiler, melt 1/2 cup butter and Ghiradelli chocolate (or cocoa and sugar) Whisk to combine. Whisk in beaten egg. Whisk until thickened, and then remove from heat. Fold in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut and pecans. Press into prepared pan. Put in refrigerator while you prepare the next layer
Middle Layer
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter, half & Half, and pudding mix. (it will be really thick) Fold in powdered sugar. Beat until very light. Spread evenly ontop of the first layer. Cover with plastic wrap. Put in refrigerator for an hour or so until firm
Top Layer
In a double boiler melt the chocolate chips and crisco. The chocolate may melt the middle layer if its too hot. so Let it cool a little after melting. Pour onto the second layer and spread evenly. Let set in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes and then cut. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
I hope everyone enjoys this as much as my relief society sisters did and my family did. Molly said it was the best "cake" ever!
