In the realm of delectable treats, few desserts have captured the hearts and palates of baking enthusiasts quite like Chudleigh’s Nanaimo Bars. Originating from the quaint town of Chudleigh, British Columbia, Canada, these irresistible bars are a testament to the culinary prowess and ingenuity of their creator, Joyce Hardcastle. With their distinct three-layered composition, each bite offers a symphony of textures and flavors that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, embarking on a culinary adventure to create these Nanaimo Bars promises an experience that is both rewarding and utterly delicious.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PEANUT BUTTER NANAIMO BAR (CANADA)
There are a number of stories as to where this cookie came from. It's thought to be native to Nanaimo, British Columbia (hence the name), and it gained widespread popularity in the 1950s. Whatever its origins, we loved it. We added the twist of peanut butter to make a simple, delicious, no-bake bar cookie that's super kid-friendly and freezes well.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 1h
Yield 5 dozen bars
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Line an 8 by 8-inch baking pan or casserole with aluminum foil, with long flaps hanging over each edge.
- For the cookie: Put the butter in a heatproof medium bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer over medium-low heat. Set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Once the butter is melted, add the sugar and cocoa, and stir to combine. Add the egg and cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, until warm to the touch and slightly thickened (it should be about the consistency of hot fudge), about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in graham crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press the dough firmly into the prepared pan. (Save the pan of water for melting the chocolate.)
- For the filling: Beat the butter, peanut butter and confectioners' sugar together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light. Spread over the cookie and freeze while you prepare the chocolate glaze.
- For the glaze: Put the chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl, and set over the barely simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. (Alternatively, put the chocolate and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt at 50 percent power in the microwave until soft, about 1 minute. Stir, and continue to heat until completely melted, about 1 minute more.). When cool but still runny, pour the chocolate layer over the chilled peanut butter layer and carefully smooth out with an offset spatula. Freeze 30 minutes.
- To serve, remove from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Pull out of the pan using the foil flaps and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 1-inch squares with a sharp knife. Serve cool or at room temperature.
NANAIMO BARS
Provided by Food Network
Yield 16 bars
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat an 8 by 8 inch baking pan with nonstick vegetable spray.
- For the Bottom Layer: In a dry bowl, set over barely simmering water, melt the 5 pats butter and 4 ounces of semisweet chocolate. Remove from the heat and stir in the Graham crumbs, coconut and walnuts. Pat the mixture into the bottom of the baking pan to form a crust. Bake for 9 minutes until set. Let cool to room temperature, then chill.
- For the Buttercream: Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes Slowly beat in the maple syrup and Grand Marnier. Spread over the cooled crust and chill for 20 minutes to set.
- For the Chocolate Glaze: In a dry bowl, set over barely simmering water, melt the chocolate. Remove from heat and stir in the vegetable shortening and corn syrup. Spread the chocolate glaze over the buttercream layer and chill for 5 more minutes. Cut into 2 by 2 inch bars
NANAIMO BARS I
These are a totally sinful concoction containing more calories than one would care to count. A decadent dessert! Will satisfy any sweet tooth!
Provided by Shealeen
Categories Desserts Cookies No-Bake Cookie Recipes
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Mix 1/2 cup butter or margarine, white sugar, cocoa, egg and vanilla in a heavy sauce pan or double boiler. Stir over low heat until mixture is of custard like consistency.
- Combine graham crackers, coconut and walnuts and add to the melted mixture. Mix well and pack into buttered 9 inch square cake pan.
- Cream 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla custard powder and milk. Beat until creamy and spread over melted base.
- Refrigerate till hardened.
- Melt semi-sweet chocolate with 1 tablespoon butter and drizzle over custard icing. Refrigerate. When totally hard cut into square bars.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 389.2 calories, Carbohydrate 46.8 g, Cholesterol 48.9 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 12.1 g, Sodium 199 mg, Sugar 35.5 g
GRANDMA CHASE'S NANAIMO BARS
Different from other Nanaimo recipes, it contains NO coconut. It was given to my mother in the 1970's by her mother-in-law.
Provided by Jessica Jolley
Categories Desserts Cookies International Cookie Recipes Canadian Cookie Recipes
Time 1h45m
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Grease a 9x13-inch dish. To make the crust, place 1/2 cup of butter in a large saucepan, and melt over low heat. Stir in the sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat, mix in the egg until the mixture is well-combined, then stir in graham cracker crumbs and walnuts. Pack the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, smooth it into an even layer, and refrigerate until cooled, at least 30 minutes.
- Make the filling: beat together confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup of softened butter, pudding mix, and milk until the filling is smooth and fluffy. Spread the filling over the cooled crust, and return to refrigerator for 30 more minutes.
- For topping, melt chocolate with 2 tablespoons of butter over very low heat, and stir until the mixture is warm (not hot) and pourable. Pour the topping over the cooled filling, spreading the topping out if necessary with an offset spatula or knife to cover the topping completely. Return the dish to the refrigerator to cool the topping for about 15 minutes. When the topping is cool but not yet hard, cut into squares; return to refrigerator to finish chilling.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 89.6 calories, Carbohydrate 9.7 g, Cholesterol 12.3 mg, Fat 5.7 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 0.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 49 mg, Sugar 8 g
NANAIMO BARS
Need ideas for a coffee morning or afternoon tea? These bars from Canada are so moreish, with a crunchy biscuit base, custard layer and chocolate topping
Provided by Michelle Holmes
Categories Afternoon tea, Dessert, Treat
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Start by making the biscuit base. In a bowl, over a pan of simmering water, melt the butter with the sugar and cocoa powder, stirring occasionally until smooth. Whisk in the egg for 2 to 3 mins until the mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and mix in the biscuit crumbs, coconut and almonds if using, then press into the base of a lined 20cm square tin. Chill for 10 mins.
- For the middle layer, make the custard icing; whisk together the butter, cream and custard powder until light and fluffy, then gradually add the icing sugar until fully incorporated. Spread over the bottom layer and chill in the fridge for at least 10 mins until the custard is no longer soft.
- Melt the chocolate and butter together in the microwave, then spread over the chilled bars and put back in the fridge. Leave until the chocolate has fully set (about 2 hrs). Take the mixture out of the tin and slice into squares to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 415 calories, Fat 29 grams fat, SaturatedFat 18 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 33 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 23 grams sugar, Protein 3 grams protein, Sodium 0.6 milligram of sodium
NANAIMO BARS III
Because it's three layers, this sounds hard but it's worth it. My son is famous for making and taking these in to work. I've heard other names but here in the Northwest everyone knows them as Nanaimo bars. They are sold on British Columbia Ferries and at coffee stands. If you can't find custard powder, I've used instant pudding mix with good results.
Provided by MARTHA J PAUL
Categories Desserts Cookies No-Bake Cookie Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In the top of a double boiler, combine 1/2 cup butter, white sugar and cocoa powder. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Beat in the egg, stirring until thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut and almonds (if you like). Press into the bottom of an ungreased 8x8 inch pan.
- For the middle layer, cream together 1/2 cup butter, heavy cream and custard powder until light and fluffy. Mix in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the bottom layer in the pan. Chill to set.
- While the second layer is chilling, melt the semisweet chocolate and 2 teaspoons butter together in the microwave or over low heat. Spread over the chilled bars. Let the chocolate set before cutting into squares.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 310.5 calories, Carbohydrate 34.1 g, Cholesterol 47.3 mg, Fat 19.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 2.8 g, SaturatedFat 11.2 g, Sodium 160.1 mg, Sugar 26.1 g
THE ORIGINAL NANAIMO BARS
Nanaimo Bars are a traditional Canadian bar cookie whose origins are in Nanaimo, British Columbia. My Mom used to make these when I was a child. She was from Canada & this is not your normal desert! Very rich and wonderful!
Provided by Starfire aka Wendy
Categories Bar Cookie
Time 30m
Yield 18 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- BOTTOM LAYER: Melt first 3 ingredients in top of a double boiler.
- Add egg and stir to cook and thicken Remove from heat.
- Stir in crumbs, coconut and nuts.
- Press firmly into an ungreased 8 X 8 pan.
- SECOND LAYER: Cream butter, cream, custard powder and icing sugar together well.
- Beat until light.
- Spread over bottom layer.
- THIRD LAYER: Melt chocolate and butter over low heat.
- Cool
- When cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.
SUNSHINE COAST-STYLE NANAIMO BARS
Nanaimo bars with a blackberry twist; they take a while to be ready to eat, but are well worth the wait.
Provided by QTPIEANGELICA
Categories Desserts Cookies International Cookie Recipes Canadian Cookie Recipes
Time 2h20m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Melt 1/2 cup of butter in a saucepan over low heat, and stir in the sugar and cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth. Whisk in egg and vanilla extract, remove from heat, and stir in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and walnuts until well combined. Press the mixture into a 9x9-inch square pan, and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
- Place 1/3 cup of room temperature butter into a mixing bowl, and stir custard powder and milk into the butter to make a smooth, creamy mixture. Stir in confectioners' sugar, about 1 cup at a time, until the mixture is very smooth, with no lumps. Lightly stir in the blackberries. Spread the filling on the chilled crust in an even layer, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set up.
- Melt chocolate and 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over very low heat, stirring until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat, and pour over the filling layer, spreading the topping over the filling to cover completely. Return to refrigerator, and allow to set until firm, at least 30 minutes. To cut, dip a very sharp knife into boiling water, and cut into squares with the hot knife.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 402.8 calories, Carbohydrate 50.4 g, Cholesterol 41.2 mg, Fat 22.9 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 12.6 g, Sodium 145.8 mg, Sugar 41.3 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the Nanaimo bars will be. Use real butter, not margarine, and use good-quality chocolate.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make the bars tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Chill the bars before cutting them: Chilling the bars will make them easier to cut and will help them hold their shape.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the bars: A sharp knife will give you clean, even cuts.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature: The bars will keep for up to 3 days at room temperature.
Conclusion:
Nanaimo bars are a delicious and easy-to-make Canadian dessert. They are perfect for any occasion, from potlucks to birthday parties. With their rich chocolatey flavor and creamy custard filling, Nanaimo bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
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