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A *Trip* to Canada

We have recently begun a new geography study with the book Galloping the Globe. It's a great book, by the way, I think we're going to have tons of fun learning with it. It's categorized by continents and we have started in North America. Since we spent the entire fall on America, we have begun this study in Canada. So for the past week and a half we've been learning all sorts of fun facts about our neighbors to the North.

Today we hit the library to look up some more books on Canada, worked a puzzle of Canada and made a delicious Canadian treat to eat. I was blessed to have the most awesome roommates in college~two of which were Canadians. So I've been schooled on lots of things Canadian:)

One of my former roomies shared this favorite recipe with me after I fell *in love* with it on one of my trips to visit her. You should definitely try them~they're super easy, but look complicated, and taste divine!! I even found some fun, educational trivia about them here.

Nanaimo Bars
(from Karlene)
Bottom Layer:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
5 Tbls. cocoa
1 egg, beaten
1-3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup fine or med. coconut
1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped
(I don't like coconut or nuts so I left these out)
~Melt first 3 ingredients in the top of a double boiler, whisking to blend well. Add beaten egg, stirring to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press firmly into an ungreased 9x9" pan. (side note: I only had enough graham crackers for half of what it called for, so I used crushed ginger snaps for the remaining half--yummy!)
*****
Second Layer:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 Tbls. milk
2 Tbls. Vanilla Custard Powder
(vanilla pudding mix is a good substitute)
2 cups powdered sugar
~Cream butter, milk, custard powder and powdered sugar together well. Beat until light and fluffy. Spread over bottom layer.
*****
Top Layer:
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
OR
4 semi-sweet squares
2 Tbls. butter
~Melt chips and butter over low heat (or in microwave); blending well until smooth. Cool. While still runny, spread over the second layer. Chill in fridge. Cut into squares and enjoy!
*This also freezes well.


Comments

Kathy said…
First of all, I have been following your blog for some time now but rarely comment so 'hello!' I'm Kathy, nice to 'meet' you!! =)

Also, I grew up in Canada and now live in the States. My Grandma always made Nanaimo bars and I love them! I have her recipe but have not made them in years so now you've inspired me to make them for my family!

Blessings to you and your family today! Kathy from Wellspring Academy =)
Kathy~
It's so nice to *meet* you! Thank you for following my blog.

I hope you enjoy some Nanaimo bars soon:)
Kayren said…
I don't think most people will make the connection from here back to my post or vice-versa, so I'm probably safe telling you this, but remember Sparky's missionary trip? Remember Mrs. Missionary? Her name is the same as your friend's name spelled the same way. It must be an up north kind of name and spelling. Funny! Still don't see mine though. Ever. Anywhere.
Kayren~
That is interesting. I know I've never seen my friend's spelling anywhere else either.
steviewren said…
Geography was always one of my favorite subjects. I've always been in love with traveling the world.
Michelle said…
Oh Nanaimo Bars mm one of the best squares out there.I can remember Mum making nanaimo eggs one year soo good.

here is a song I found for thechildren,I was trying to find Raffi's Canada song but can't find it.

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