I'll third the comments on the naming as New York Special. Growing up in Thunder Bay Ontario, you were guaranteed to find these at all baby showers or wedding showers during the 50s and early 60s. Nearly everyone had the recipe and it was commonly called New York special as it remains in my mothers own hand in her cookbook from way back then. It was not until the late 70s or early 80s when they started showing up in grocery stores, that I saw them labeled as Nanaimo bars. For me they are still labeled as New York Special in my cook book. Either way, they are pretty yummy! Many people get hung up on the use of the custard powder for the filling. It is only there to provide flavour and not meant to be a 'custard' filling. It is really a 'custard flavoured' frosting layer. Debbie, thanks for all this information - nothing like hearing the real story from someone who's "been there," eh? Thinking of the layer as "custard flavored" rather than a custard layer does make a difference - thanks for that distinction! PJH

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