Best 2 Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar Recipes

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Indulge your sweet tooth with the delectable Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar, a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This classic Canadian dessert features a rich, chocolatey base, a smooth peanut butter filling, and a decadent chocolate ganache topping. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets behind this timeless treat, along with two additional variations that add exciting twists to the traditional recipe. Get ready to create a masterpiece that will impress your family and friends, leaving them craving more.

**Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar**: The original delight combines a chocolate graham cracker crust with a creamy peanut butter filling and a rich chocolate ganache.

**Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar**: This variation introduces a layer of salted caramel between the peanut butter filling and chocolate ganache, adding a touch of sweet and salty decadence.

**Chocolate Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar**: For chocolate lovers, this version features a chocolate cookie crust, a chocolate peanut butter filling, and a luscious chocolate ganache, creating an intense chocolate experience.

With step-by-step instructions and a detailed ingredient list for each recipe, this article provides everything you need to recreate these delightful Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bars in the comfort of your own kitchen. Impress your loved ones with these homemade treats, perfect for any occasion.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

PEANUT BUTTER NANAIMO BAR (CANADA)



Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar (Canada) image

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

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1 large egg, beaten
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 cup finely chopped blanched almonds
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

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.

PEANUT BUTTER NANAIMO BAR



PEANUT BUTTER NANAIMO BAR image

Categories     Chocolate

Yield 60 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 15

Cookie:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1 large egg, beaten
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 cup finely chopped blanched almonds
Peanut Butter Filling:
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
Chocolate Glaze:
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

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. Busy baker's tips: Finished bars can be wrapped in the pan in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil and frozen for up to 1 month.

Tips:

  • Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth and rich filling.
  • If you don't have graham cracker crumbs, you can make your own by crushing graham crackers in a food processor or blender.
  • Be sure to chill the bars for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving. This will help them set properly.
  • For a fun twist, try using different types of chocolate for the ganache topping. White chocolate or dark chocolate would be delicious options.
  • These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Conclusion:

Peanut butter Nanaimo bars are a delicious and decadent treat that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be customized to your own liking. With their creamy peanut butter filling, chocolate ganache topping, and graham cracker crust, these bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

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