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
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!
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Second Layer
Third Layer
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 275Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 42mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 1gSugar: 25gProtein: 2g
Recipe calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
Comments & Reviews
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Yum, the recipe sounds great!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Jennifer!
Marie Aitken says
Just wondered if you’ve ever added mint flavoring to the filling?
Noshing with the Nolands says
I haven’t but you definitely could!!! That would be nice at Christmas!!
Maeghan says
I love finding regional treats like these. These look great. I’ll have to add these to the goodie list!