Best 5 Chocolaty Nanaimo Bars Recipes

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Indulge in the decadence of Chocolaty Nanaimo Bars, a Canadian classic that combines three distinct layers of chocolatey goodness. Featuring a rich chocolate graham cracker crust, a creamy custard filling, and a luscious chocolate ganache topping, these no-bake bars are a true delight for chocolate enthusiasts. With their elegant presentation and irresistible flavor, they're perfect for special occasions, potlucks, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth. This article provides two variations of the classic recipe - a traditional version and a gluten-free option - ensuring that everyone can enjoy these delightful treats. Additionally, you'll find a step-by-step guide, helpful tips, and a video tutorial to assist you in creating perfect Nanaimo Bars every time.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CHOCOLATE COOKIE NANAIMO BARS



Chocolate Cookie Nanaimo Bars image

No-bake, with three layers of yumminess: a somewhat chewy cookie bottom, vanilla frosting middle, and chocolate top layer. Everyone loves these.

Provided by KEDY

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     International Cookie Recipes     Canadian Cookie Recipes

Time 1h45m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 11

½ cup butter
¼ cup white sugar
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 egg, beaten
1 ¼ cups crushed chocolate cream-filled sandwich cookies (such as OREO® Cookies)
½ cup butter
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Line a 9x9-inch square pan with parchment paper. Place 1/2 cup of butter into the top half of a double boiler, and melt over simmering water. Stir in the sugar and cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Whisk in the beaten egg and gently cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens up, about 1 minute. Remove the double boiler top from the heat, and stir in the cookie crumbs until very well mixed. Press the crust into the prepared dish, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes.
  • In a mixing bowl, beat together 1/2 cup of butter with the vanilla pudding powder and cream with an electric mixer until the mixture is fluffy. Slowly beat in the confectioners' sugar, and continue beating until the mixture is very creamy and pale yellow, about 2 minutes. Spread the filling over the crust, and return to the refrigerator for at least 30 more minutes.
  • Melt semisweet chocolate chips with vegetable oil in the top of a double boiler over hot water, and stir until the mixture is very smooth. Remove the chocolate mixture from the heat, allow to cool slightly, and pour over the vanilla layer. Use a spatula to spread the chocolate completely over the vanilla layer. Place the dish in the refrigerator to cool until the chocolate loses its gloss but is not completely hard, about 30 minutes.
  • With a sharp knife, cut into 5 rows by 5 rows (25 squares), return to refrigerator, and chill at least 15 minutes to overnight. Serve cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 285.4 calories, Carbohydrate 32.3 g, Cholesterol 45.9 mg, Fat 18.3 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 1.6 g, SaturatedFat 10.4 g, Sodium 144.3 mg, Sugar 28.1 g

CHOCOLATY NANAIMO BARS



Chocolaty Nanaimo Bars image

If a pastry could be a friend, the Nanaimo bar would be my BFF. This version won Cookie of the Fair at the 2006 Iowa State Fair. -Kelly McCulley, Des Moines, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h5m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
FILLING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons Bird's custard powder or instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons half-and-half cream
TOPPING:
1 ounce white baking chocolate, melted
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening

Steps:

  • Line bottom of a 9-in. square baking pan with parchment. In a small heavy saucepan, cook and stir butter, sugar and cocoa over medium-low heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Cook 2-3 minutes or until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and a thermometer reads at least 160°, stirring constantly. Remove from heat., Stir in cracker crumbs, coconut and pecans. Press into prepared pan. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until cold., For filling, in a large bowl, beat butter and custard powder until blended. Beat in confectioners' sugar and half-and-half until smooth. Spread over crust. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour or until firm., For topping, fill a small resealable bag with melted white chocolate; set aside, keeping warm. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Spread chocolate mixture evenly over filling. , Cut a small corner in bag with white chocolate. Working quickly, pipe parallel lines over chocolate layer, spacing lines 1/4 to 1/2 in. apart. Working at right angles to the white chocolate lines, pull a toothpick back and forth across the pan, cutting through the piped lines to create a feather design. , Refrigerate 10 minutes or until topping is just set (do not allow the chocolate to harden completely). Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 343 calories, Fat 22g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 45mg cholesterol, Sodium 168mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (29g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

CALGARY NANAIMO BARS



Calgary Nanaimo Bars image

This version of Nanaimo bars may claim roots in Alberta, but the original was said to be dreamed up in a British Columbia kitchen. They're three delicious layers of Canadian goodness. -Carol Hillier, Calgary, Alberta

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 25m

Yield 3-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
3/4 cup butter, cubed
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped almonds, optional
FILLING:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons 2% milk
GLAZE:
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

  • Line an 8-in. square baking pan with foil, letting ends extend over sides by 1 in. In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar and cocoa; add butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until butter is melted. Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into eggs. Return all to the pan, whisking constantly. Cook and stir until mixture reaches 160°. Remove from heat., Stir in cracker crumbs, coconut and, if desired, almonds. Press into prepared pan. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set., For filling, in a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, pudding mix, butter and milk until smooth; spread over crust., In a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Spread over top. Refrigerate until set. Using foil, lift bars out of pan. Discard foil; cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 116 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 21mg cholesterol, Sodium 72mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

NANAIMO BARS (CHOCOLATE SLICES)



Nanaimo Bars (Chocolate Slices) image

These triple layered squares have a very chocolaty bottom layer, a sweet buttery custard centre and a firm chocolate top layer. They are very attractive on a cookie tray and taste divine. These have been a family favourite since I was a little kid. Prep time includes chilling time.

Provided by Just Call Me Martha

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 1h20m

Yield 36 squares

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup butter
5 tablespoons white sugar
5 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup fine coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons custard powder
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

  • Mix ½ cup butter, sugar, cocoa, vanilla and egg together in small saucepan.
  • Cook over low to medium heat until well mixed.
  • In large bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, coconut and nuts.
  • Pour chocolate mixture over top and mix well.
  • Pat into 9-inch square pan.
  • Chill.
  • Cream milk, custard powder and ¼ cup butter together.
  • Add confectioner's sugar to make a firm, but soft spread.
  • Spread on top of first layer and chill again.
  • Melt chocolate and butter together.
  • Spread over previous layer and chill.
  • Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 138.1, Fat 9.1, SaturatedFat 5.3, Cholesterol 16.4, Sodium 76, Carbohydrate 14.5, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 10, Protein 1.6

NANAIMO BARS



Nanaimo Bars image

My mother taught me to make these rich, delicious bar cookies when I was young. Though I've tried many variations, I always come back to this old favorite.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 20m

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 12

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
3 tablespoons milk
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 ounces semisweet chocolate

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from the heat; blend in sugar, cocoa, vanilla, egg, crumbs and coconut. Also add nuts if desired. Press into a 9-in. square pan. In a small bowl, cream 1/4 cup butter, pudding mix, milk and sugar. Spread over crumb layer; chill. Melt chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter; spread over pudding layer. Chill before cutting into bars.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Make sure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before you start baking. This will help them cream together smoothly and give your Nanaimo bars a more even texture.
  • Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing can make your Nanaimo bars tough.
  • If you don't have a food processor, you can crush the graham crackers in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin.
  • Be patient when chilling your Nanaimo bars. It's important to let them chill completely before cutting them into bars, otherwise they will be too soft.
  • If you want to make your Nanaimo bars ahead of time, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Just thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Conclusion:

Nanaimo bars are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. They are a classic Canadian treat that is loved by people of all ages. With their chocolatey, creamy, and nutty layers, Nanaimo bars are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give Nanaimo bars a try. You won't be disappointed!

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