Nanaimo Bars

From "Bars, Squares and Slices" C-23, 1961. My Mother-in-law used to make this for Christmas, an Annis Family tradition.

Makes ~ 5 dozen candy cookies.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

5 Tbsp cocoa

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Icing:

1/2 cup butter

3 Tbsp milk

2 Tbsp vanilla pudding powder

2 cups powdered sugar

4 squares semi0sweet chocolate

1 Tbsp butter

Measure 1/2 cup butter, sugar, cocoa, vanilla and egg into top of a double boiler. Place over hot water; cook, stirring, until mixture is of custard consistency. Remove from heat and stir in crumbs, coconut and nuts; blend well. Pack mixture into buttered 9-inch square pan.

Icing:

Cream butter; blend milk and pudding powder and stir into creamed butter. Add powdered sugar; mix until smooth and creamy. Spread over cookie base; refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Melt chocolate with remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Spread over vanilla layer; chill until set. Cut into bite-sized squares.