Posted on 06/30/2006 5:56:43 PM PDT by Squawk 8888
Canadians have spoken, and they'd like you to pass the Nanaimo Bars. Thanks in part to a heartwarming display of civic pride, the little dessert bar that could can now proudly call itself Canada's Favourite Confection.
The build-up to this triumphant moment began on Monday, when we kicked off the Great Canadian Confection Election to find this country's greatest treat just in time for Canada Day. Our ballot included Coffee Crisp, Nanaimo bars, Beaver Tails, Old Dutch chips, Cherry Blossom, McCain's Deep 'n' Delicious Cake, Jos. Louis, Tim Hortons' Iced Capp, Laura Secord Chocolate, Mr. Christie's cookies and a spot for write-in candidates.
Thanks in no small part to a report in the Nanaimo Daily News, the people of that pleasant Vancouver Island city heard our clarion call. When polls closed at 12 p.m. ET yesterday, we had received 93 votes for Nanaimo bars, putting the tri-level treat over the top.
Typical of the Nanaimoite sentiments were those of Barb Parker, who wrote: "Are you crazy? The only choice has to be Nanaimo bars."
Barb Fawcett agrees, noting that she's "made this treat for over 50 years and it is still the favourite for parties/functions and always disappears first!"
Similarly, the Nanaimo-born-and-raised Alison Huntley argued that the contest "should be won by a treat that can be made in everyone's kitchen, and not a candy bar or mass-produced 'Iced Capp.' " (To which we can only say, see recipe elsewhere on this page.)
Finishing a strong second with 69 votes was the Coffee Crisp chocolate bar. Reader Anne Crunican wrote a touching story of her life with Coffee Crisp, noting how her grandmother always carried two in her purse. She helpfully notes that "they help you if your blood sugar is low between two and three in the afternoon."
Ultimately, Coffee Crisp rallied thanks to a last-minute flurry of votes from the hard-working men and women of Nestle Canada.
In what we can only assume was a similar display of corporate pride, the write-in campaign for The Original Hardbite Potato Chips of Maple Ridge, B.C., garnered the salty snack 22 votes and a third-place finish. We salute this home-grown entrepreneurial spirit and wish their chips all the best.
In fourth place with 15 votes were Old Dutch chips, the favourites of Laureen Harper.
"Moving from Alberta to Ottawa meant giving up my favourite Old Dutch Dill Pickle Chips," the Prime Minister's wife wrote in Tuesday's paper. "It is the first thing I buy when I head home to Calgary for a visit."
Jos. Louis and Beaver Tails each received 12 votes; Cherry Blossom had eight; Mr. Christie Cookies, Hawkins Cheezies and Laura Secord Chocolates each garnered six nods. Smarties, technically a British treat, were the favourites of five respondents.
Butter tarts and the Tim Hortons Iced Capp each got four votes, while McCain's Deep 'n' Delicious Cake, Kit Kat, cheese, Ganong chocolate and Vachon's Mae West had two supporters a piece.
Cultish confections garnering only a vote each included Bernard Callebaut chocolates, Clodhoppers, Oh Henry, Crispy Crunch, Rogers' chocolates, Cocoa Camino chocolate, Doritos nacho cheese chips, Purdy's chocolates, Aero, Snickers, McCain's happy face fries, Glosette raisins, Zehrs' doughnuts, Thrills gum, Mack's toffee and the lowly Timbit.
Dominion Day munchies ping!
Submitted by: Shealeen
"These are a totally sinful concoction containing more calories than one would care to count. A decadent dessert! Will satisfy any sweet tooth!"
Original recipe yield: 2 dozen.
Servings:12 (change)
Happy Canada Day!
Nanaimo Bars, or Coffee Crisp? It's a tie at my house.
Canada ping!
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