Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo Bars

Okay, I know these Nanaimo Bars didn’t originate in Ireland but from Canada, actually just south of Nanaimo in Ladysmith. A lady by the name of Mabel Jenkins submitted the recipe to a local cookbook back in the 1950s. They have remained a very popular treat since then.

Nanaimo bars are real Canadian inventions much like basketball, the wireless radio, and velcro. Aren’t you glad that we shared all of these things with the world?

I decided to color the rich and creamy middle green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They were gone in a blink and I hope you and your family enjoy them too!

Nanaimo Bars

Tara Noland

Okay, I know these didn’t originate in Ireland but from Canada, actually just south of Nanaimo BC in Ladysmith. A lady by the name of Mabel Jenkins submitted the recipe to a local cookbook back in the 1950s. They have remained a very popular treat since then. I decided to color the rich and creamy middle green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Additional Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Servings 16 squares

Calories 275 kcal

Ingredients

 

Bottom Layer

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa rounded
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup walnuts finely chopped
• 1/2 cup coconut shredded

Second Layer

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. milk or cream
• 2 Tbsp. custard powder
• 2 cups icing sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• Green food coloring to the desired color I used the new neon green food coloring

Third Layer

• 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate 1 oz. each
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Instructions

 

• Bottom Layer
• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Line an 8×8″ pan with parchment paper leaving enough to hang over the edge so you can easily pull out the bars later.
• Whisk together sugar and cocoa.
• Add graham crackers, nuts, and coconut.
• Stir in egg and melted butter.
• Pat firmly into prepared pan.
• Bake for 15-20min. until set.
• Let cool completely.
• Second Layer
• Cream butter then add the milk, custard powder, and icing sugar and beat well until mixed.
• Add vanilla and green food coloring.
• Spread over cooled bottom layer and refrigerate until firm about an hour or so.
• 
  Third Layer
• Melt chocolate and butter in the microwave on half power checking every 30 seconds.
• Mix well and let cool slightly but that it still remains liquid.
• Spread over the green layer and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Cut into squares.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 2gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 42mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25g

Nutrition calculation is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.

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