easy nanaimo bars

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 (1 ounce) envelopes instant hot chocolate mix
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup milk, or as needed
• 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 4 (1 ounce) squares milk chocolate
• 1 tablespoon butter

Recipe

Preparation Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs 25 mins


• grease a 9x9-inch square pan. melt 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over low heat, and stir in cocoa mix, vanilla extract, and egg. whisk together until the mixture thickens, about 1 minute (do not boil); remove from heat and stir in graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup coconut, and walnuts. mix well, and press into the bottom of the prepared pan. chill the crust for about 1 hour.
• place the cream cheese into a mixing bowl, and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. beat in the milk, vanilla pudding mix, and confectioners' sugar to make a spreadable, creamy mixture. if mixture is too stiff to spread easily, add more milk, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. spread the filling in an even layer over the crust, and return to refrigerator. chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• melt milk chocolate and 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over very low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and well combined. spread the topping evenly over the vanilla layer, and refrigerate about 1/2 hour, until the topping is firm but not hard. cut into bars, then return to refrigerator to finish chilling, at least 1/2 hour more. serve cold.