I grew up in British Columbia (Canada) and one of the most enjoyable treats we had at Christmas time was my mom’s home made Nanaimo Bars. She always made the icing green and so to me a Nanaimo Bar is not a Nanaimo Bar unless it’s green!
I do not know where my mom got the recipe from and what if any modifications may have been made (she is not around to ask) so I post this recipe as it was written down over 30 years ago.
I make these bars every year at Christmas for my family as they are my husbands favourite holiday treat.
Nanaimo Bars
Recipe type: snack, christmas baking,
Serves: 15
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter + 6 tbsp butter (softened)
- 5 tbsp sugar
- 5 tbsp cocoa
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- 2 cups graham wafer crumbs
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp vanilla instant pudding powder
- food colouring
- 5 squares semi sweet chocolate
Instructions
- In a double boiler (over medium high heat) add ½ cup butter, sugar, cocoa, vanilla & egg, whisking until well combined. Continue to stir until mixture reaches a custard like consistency (thickens slightly).
- Add graham wafer crumbs and coconut. Stir until combined and press into ungreased 8×8 or 9×9 square baking pan.
- In a separate bowl cream together 4 tbsp butter, milk and vanilla instant pudding powder. Mix in icing sugar and food colouring (if using) until well combined. Spread over chocolate base and let harden.
- In a microwaveable bowl add 2 tbsp butter & 5 squares of semi sweet chocolate. Melt chocolate/butter on low in 30-40 second increments stirring in between. Continue until chocolate almost melted. Remove and stir until remaining chocolate is completely smooth.
- Pour chocolate over icing sugar base and spread evenly with a spatula. Let harden.