Nanaimo Bars
Serves 24
These bars are exceedingly rich; a little goes a long way. And while the original didn't include coconut flavor in the filling, we think its addition is absolutely perfect.
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
2 hr 25 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
2 hr 25 min
Ingredients
  1. Crust
  2. Unsalted butter, melted ½ cup
  3. Granulated sugar ¼ cup
  4. Unsweetened cocoa, Dutch-process or natural 1/3 cup
  5. Egg 1 large
  6. Shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened 1 cup
  7. Chopped walnuts or pecans ½ cup
  8. Vanilla extract
  9. 1 tsp.
  10. Graham cracker crumbs (made from about 13 whole crackers) 2 cups
  11. Filling
  12. Unsalted butter, at room temperature 16 Tbsp.
  13. Salt (omit if you use salted butter) 1/2 tsp.
  14. Confectioners' sugar, sifted 4 cups
  15. Vanilla extract or 1/8 teaspoon coconut flavor 1 tsp.
  16. Quick and Easy Pastry Cream Mix or instant vanilla pudding mix 4 Tbsp.
  17. Milk 4 Tbsp.
  18. Icing
  19. Chopped bittersweet chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup
  20. Heavy cream or butter ¼ cup cream or 2 Tbsp. butter
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9" square pan or 11" x 7" pan.
  2. To make the crust: Place all of the crust ingredients in a mixing bowl, and beat at medium speed just until thoroughly combined.
  3. Press the mixture into the prepared pan, and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, and set it aside to cool.
  4. To make the filling: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, 1 cup of the sugar, and the vanilla, beating until smooth.
  5. In a small bowl, combine the pastry cream filling mix or instant vanilla pudding mix with the milk, stirring until thick and smooth.
  6. Add the pudding mix to the butter/sugar mixture, stirring to combine.
  7. Add the remaining sugar, and beat until the filling is smooth. Spread it over the cooled crust, cover, and refrigerate until chilled.
  8. To make the icing: Combine the chocolate and cream (or butter) in a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Heat until the cream is steaming. Stir until smooth.
  9. Spread the frosting onto the bars. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set.
  10. Cut into small squares (about 1 3/4") or rectangles to serve. The bars will be very stiff when cold, but will soften quickly at room temperature.
  11. Store covered, in the refrigerator, for up to 1 week. These bars also freeze well.
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