Layer 1: Crust
- 2 c graham cracker crumbs
- 1 c shredded sweetened coconut
- 1/4 c sugar
- 1/4 c butter
- 3 Tbs cocoa powder
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Layer 2: Filling
- 2 c powdered sugar
- 1/4 c butter, softened
- 2 Tbs hot water
Layer 3: Ganache
- 2/3 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
Make the crust:
Combine the graham cracker crumbs and coconut (and 1/2 c chopped almonds if you want - but my husband is allergic to nuts so I didn't use them) and set aside. If you're crushing whole graham crackers, it's about 12 crackers, but I kept eating them while I added them to the food processor so I'm an unreliable narrator like that owl that tried to count the number of licks to get to the center of the tootsie roll pop. Sooo, slightly less than 12 crackers.
Melt the butter with the sugar in a saucepan until the butter is melted, then stir in the cocoa powder. Once the sugar is totally dissolved, remove from heat and stir in the egg and vanilla. Add the graham cracker crumb and coconut mixture in, and stir completely. Press onto the bottom of a wax paper or parchment lined 8x8 pan and put in the freezer to set while you make the next layer.
Make the filling:
Put all the ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and blend until completely smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Spread on top of the crust and return to the fridge. Note: Canadian recipes call for custard powder here. I don't know what the crap that is. This filling ends up tasting a little like what's inside of a Mounds bar - really, the whole thing tastes like a Mounds bar - and it's readily accessible in the United States for those of us who are limited by local ingredients :)
Make the ganache:
Put the chocolate chips in a bowl and microwave until melted - I did 20 seconds on high, then stirred it, then 20 more seconds, and it was super melty. Stir well and spread over the filling.
Refrigerate at least a half hour until set, then cut into squares.
Any Canadians out there?? Send me your feedback and any tricks you use. I fully intend to play around with recipes more and post a Nanaimo II at some point in the future!