Cranberry Nanaimo Bars

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 semi-sweet chocolate baking squares
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup angel flake coconut
• 1 tablespoon grated orange rind
• 1/4 cup cranberry sauce, finely chopped (with whole berries)
• 1 tablespoon grand marnier (or orange liqueur or orange juice)
• 2 tablespoons custard powder or 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups icing sugar
• 4 semi-sweet chocolate baking squares, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter

Recipe

• 1 base: melt butter with chocolate and remove from heat. stir in sugar and egg. add crumbs, coconut and orange rind; mix well. press into 9" square pan. chill.
• 2 cranberry layer: combine cranberry sauce and liqueur. spread evenly over base. custard layer: combine all ingredients and beat until smooth. spread over base. chill.
• 3 chocolate layer: melt chocolate and butter over low heat or in microwave on med. power for 2 minutes, stir until melted. spread evenly over filling. chill. let stand at room temperature for fifteen minutes before cutting into bars.
• 4 to store: store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks before cutting.
• 5 to freeze: for longer storage, freeze bars before topping with chocolate and cutting. thaw and spread with melted chocolate.