Sunshine Coast Style Nanaimo Bars Recipes

BEST NANAIMO BARS RECIPE

Steps:

• Butter and line a 9×9″ square pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal. Set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large heatproof bowl over a saucepan of very gently simmering water. Whisk in the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Remove from heat and slowly add in the egg while whisking vigorously. Return to heat and cook for 1-2 more minutes until the mixture is smooth and resembles hot fudge.
• Add in the graham cracker crumbs, shredded coconut, and chopped nuts.
• Stir until well combined. The mixture might appear dry at first, but keep mixing and it will come together.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan and place in the fridge to chill while preparing the next layer.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, custard powder, and vanilla until combined. Mix in 1 cup of powdered sugar along with 1 tablespoon of cream at a time, mixing in between until smooth. Add 1-2 more teaspoons of cream, ONLY if needed, to reach a thick and spreadable consistency.
• Spread the buttercream evenly on top of the base layer using an offset spatula. Place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm up while preparing the next layer.
• Melt the chocolate with the cream in a medium heatproof bowl over a saucepan of very gently simmering water, stirring frequently, until completely melted and smooth.
• Pour over the cold buttercream and quickly spread it all over using an offset spatula. Place back in the fridge until ready to cut into squares. See expert tips on how to cut below.

SUNSHINE COAST-STYLE NANAIMO BARS

Steps:

• Melt 1/2 cup of butter in a saucepan over low heat, and stir in the sugar and cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth. Whisk in egg and vanilla extract, remove from heat, and stir in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and walnuts until well combined. Press the mixture into a 9x9-inch square pan, and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
• Place 1/3 cup of room temperature butter into a mixing bowl, and stir custard powder and milk into the butter to make a smooth, creamy mixture. Stir in confectioners' sugar, about 1 cup at a time, until the mixture is very smooth, with no lumps. Lightly stir in the blackberries. Spread the filling on the chilled crust in an even layer, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set up.
• Melt chocolate and 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over very low heat, stirring until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat, and pour over the filling layer, spreading the topping over the filling to cover completely. Return to refrigerator, and allow to set until firm, at least 30 minutes. To cut, dip a very sharp knife into boiling water, and cut into squares with the hot knife.

EASY NANAIMO BARS

Steps:

• Grease a 9x9-inch square pan. Melt 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over low heat, and stir in cocoa mix, vanilla extract, and egg. Whisk together until the mixture thickens, about 1 minute (do not boil); remove from heat and stir in graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup coconut, and walnuts. Mix well, and press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill the crust for about 1 hour.
• Place the cream cheese into a mixing bowl, and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the milk, vanilla pudding mix, and confectioners' sugar to make a spreadable, creamy mixture. If mixture is too stiff to spread easily, add more milk, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. Spread the filling in an even layer over the crust, and return to refrigerator. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Melt milk chocolate and 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over very low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Spread the topping evenly over the vanilla layer, and refrigerate about 1/2 hour, until the topping is firm but not hard. Cut into bars, then return to refrigerator to finish chilling, at least 1/2 hour more. Serve cold.