Georgia Street Squares were a treat my grandmother made for fancy get togethers. I always knew she did not invent the recipe but could find no clue as to their origins. Until I started food blogging and saw them on Food Gawker where for some reason they were called Nanaimo bars. Since the name is definitely hard to pronounce I can see why she changed it, but why Georgia Street Squares I don't have a clue.What they are is delicious, delectable, addictive and fattening (we figured it up once, 4 pts for a 1 inch square). Any time I show up at a family gathering these are what I am expected to bring. And the best part? They aren't that hard to make.
Georgia Street Squares
BOTTOM LAYER:1/2 cup coco powder
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 cups crushed Graham crackers
1 cup flaked coconut (the sweetened variety works best)
1/2 cup chopped nuts
In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the sugar and cocoa powder and then gradually whisk in the beaten egg. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens (1 - 2 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and chopped nuts. Press the mixture evenly into lightly buttered 9X13 pan. Cover and refrigerate until firm (about an hour).
FILLING:1/2 cup butter
3 Tblsp milk
2 tsp instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups powdered sugar
In your electric mixer cream the butter. Beat in the remaining ingredients. If the mixture is too thick to spread, add a little more milk. Spread the filling over the bottom layer, cover, and refrigerate until firm (about 30 minutes).
TOP LAYER:3/4 cup chocolate chips (I usually use 1 cup)
1 Tblsp butter
In a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter. Spread over the filling and refrigerate. (add milk for a better spreading consistency)
TO SERVE: To prevent the chocolate from cracking, using a sharp knife, bring the squares to room temperature before cutting.
Temper's Take:I have tried variations, adding some amaretto to the middle layer was definitely yummy, and I like using french vanilla pudding even if it does make the layer slightly yellow. though these Raspberry Nanaimo Bars from Cake or Death.
Cakespy also has a good little article on them here and some really nice pictures.
6 comments:
I've seen these popping up around the blogosphere from time to time but I've never had one. I'd need a very special occasion, because it seems that baking a tray full for 2 people would be overkill. They look wonderful!
It depends on your self control I could quite easily eat the bunch all by myself.
Great treats! Nanaimo is a city in Canada. (My country) Not as hard as it looks to pronounce. Nah NIY moh.
So great to have a cherished food memory from you Grandma, mine didn't bake but she made a mean jello salad!
That looks like such a treat!
I just called my own mom to get this recipe and surprisingly enough it was called the same thing! These are bars my grandmother used to make and I remember them being sooooo good! Haven't had them in years, and I need to bring bars for a special occasion this weekend, and for some reason, these came to mind!
I just called my own mom to get this recipe and surprisingly enough it was called the same thing! These are bars my grandmother used to make and I remember them being sooooo good! Haven't had them in years, and I need to bring bars for a special occasion this weekend, and for some reason, these came to mind!
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