I have never met Grandma Foster. But she is an image in history I strive to emulate. A God-fearing woman, who knew how to feed the masses. With chocolate. There's the legendary Grandma Foster's Chocolate Cake, which is, apparently so rich it must be served in a bowl of milk. There's Sketties - where the pasta is cooked in tomato juice imparting a certain essence to it that cannot be imparted in water. There are others....too many to name, I think. But, by far, the favorite are these Chocolate Squares.
The recipe is done in stages, so I'll abandon my normal procedures and type it out exactly as it's written on the card, which was dictated to me over the phone by my mother-in-law. This recipe is one of procedure, so follow it!
For those of you who live in the north, you will know these by another name: Nanaimo Bars. Nanaimo Bars have a rich history, wonderful story, kinda an icon, really. Yeah, she stole 'em. And apparently she was unashamed. But, to her grandkids, they will forever be known as....
Grandma Foster's Chocolate Squares
Melt 1/2 Cup butter in a saucepan, add 1/4 Cup Sugar, 1/3 Cup Cocoa, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 egg, 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1 Cup coconut and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.
Press mixture into 12" X 8" pan or 9 X 9 pan. Set aside.
Cream 1/4 Cup butter, blend in 2 Tbs vanilla instant pudding powder, 3 Tbs milk, 2 Cups confectioners (powdered) sugar. Spread this over the chocolate layer.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt 3 oz of semi-sweet chocolate chips with 2 Tbs butter. Spread over cream mixture.
Chill (literally, and figuratively), then cut in squares.
Don't expect leftovers. Make another pan, and just don't take it. :)
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