Nanaimo Bars

 

Nanaimo Bars Variations

From the Kitchen of: Lana Bistritz

Ingredients:

Base:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 5 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Filling:

• 1/3 cup butter
• 3 Tbsp custard powder (or vanilla jello pudding powder)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3 cups icing sugar

Topping:

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 2 Tbsp butter

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Directions:

1. Make the Base:

   • Melt 1/2 cup butter in a heavy saucepan.
   • Stir in 1/4 cup sugar and 5 Tbsp cocoa until smooth.
   • Whisk in 1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla.
   • Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup shredded coconut, and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.
   • Press the mixture evenly into a greased 9" square pan.
   • Chill for at least 20 minutes until set.

2. Prepare the Filling:

   • Beat 1/3 cup butter until light.
   • Mix in 3 Tbsp custard powder and 1/4 cup milk.
   • Gradually add 3 cups icing sugar and mix until smooth.
   • Spread the filling over the chilled base and refrigerate until set.

3. Make the Topping:

   • Melt 8 ounces semisweet chocolate and 2 Tbsp butter together until smooth.
   • Spread the chocolate mixture evenly over the chilled filling.
   • Let it cool until the topping begins to harden.
   • Score the topping into bars before it is completely solid. Use a hot knife to cut, wiping clean between cuts.

4. Storage:

   • Store in the fridge or freeze for up to 2 months.

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Variations:

1. Peanut Butter Filling:

   • 2 Tbsp custard powder
   • 1/4 cup milk
   • 2 Tbsp butter (softened)
   • 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
   • 2 cups icing sugar

2. Grand Marnier Filling:

   • 2 cups icing sugar
   • 1/4 cup butter (softened)
   • 1/4 cup Grand Marnier (or orange liqueur)
   • 1 Tbsp grated orange rind

3. Cherry Filling:

   • 1/4 cup butter (softened)
   • 1 Tbsp cherry juice
   • 2 cups icing sugar
   • 1/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries
   • 1-2 drops red food coloring

4. Mint Filling:

   • 1/3 cup butter
   • 3 Tbsp custard powder (or jello pudding powder)
   • 1/4 cup milk
   • 3 cups icing sugar
   • 1 tsp peppermint flavoring
   • 1-2 drops green food coloring

5. Cappuccino Filling:

   • 2 Tbsp milk
   • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
   • 2 tsp instant coffee or espresso powder
   • 1/2 tsp vanilla
   • 2 cups icing sugar

6. Bailey's Irish Cream Filling:

   • 1/3 cup butter
   • 3 Tbsp custard powder (or vanilla jello pudding powder)
   • 1/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream
   • 2-3 cups icing sugar