The January 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Lauren of Celiac Teen. Lauren chose Gluten-Free Graham Wafers and Nanaimo Bars as the challenge for the month. The sources she based her recipe on are 101 Cookbooks and www.nanaimo.ca.
After taking last month off from the Daring Bakers, I was just totally sugared out by the middle of December, I was really excited to dive into this months challenge. A Nanaimo bar is something that I have never ever heard of and for that matter I have never eaten one either. These bars are decadent and extremely rich… and if that’s your kind of thing, well then, these are the right treats for you. The three layers each have their own texture and flavor and when combined they will satisfy any sweet tooth imaginable!
Nanaimo Bars
Ingredients:
Bottom Layer
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
5 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa
1 Large Egg, Beaten
1 1/4 cups Gluten Free Graham Wafer Crumbs
1 cup Coconut (Shredded, sweetened or unsweetened)
Middle Layer
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons Heavy Cream
2 tablespoons Vanilla Custard Powder
2 cups Icing Sugar
Top Layer
4 ounces Semi-sweet chocolate
2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
Directions:
1. For bottom Layer: Melt unsalted butter, sugar and cocoa in top of a double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, nuts and coconut. Press firmly into an ungreased 8 by 8 inch pan.
2. For Middle Layer: Cream butter, cream, custard powder, and icing sugar together well. Beat until light in colour. Spread over bottom layer.
3. For Top Layer: Melt chocolate and unsalted butter over low heat. Cool. Once cool, pour over middle layer and chill.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
These bars have it all! That is one rich dessert!
These things are soooo rich. I could only have a bite, but they were DEVOURED by my coworkers. Good luck dress shopping!!
Your bars look great, they are soooo sweet though aren’t they. I cut mine up into cubes and speared them on sticks to stop me eating too much in one go. Your custard layer is nice and thick. I had to push mine to edge of tin with fingers to make it go far enough. I would definitely stay away from them if you need to fit into that bridesmaid’s dress!
This is like the 3rd or 4th time I’ve seen them to day and they look SO AMAZING!
These are a fun treat to make, but I haven’t made them in a few years. Thanks for the reminder, because we LOVE them! I first had them at an international potluck I attended and had to get the recipe from the woman who made them.
Your bars look good! I love the thickness of the chocolate..I did the same!!
These look positively sinful and the photography is beautiful! I might have to refer to this recipe for my next cookie exchange!
I love your blog and your photos! good job with this month’s challenge!
I was a bad girl and did not do the challenge this month! You, however, did a beautiful job!
Elaine!! I almost didn’t do this challenge either! But then it poured all week and I had nothing to do… so I obviously baked up a storm and ate a ton!!
yummmm, your nanaimo bars version looks really great!
Love the presentation
And the photographs are amazing!
Glad to get know your blog
Great job!
Inbal
(also a DB)
Love your pics. I ate too many of these myself, and still have some in the freezer!
Well done. I agree – these bars are soooooo rich!
Gorgeous! Yeah, I almost didn’t do this either…did it YESTERDAY! LOL Ok, can I just say how jealous I am that you are going to pastry school? Can I come and be your “whisk attendant”?
mmmm these look very tempting! jillian michaels would kill us
Definitely super sweet, and you were smart to get them out of the house!
This is way too sweet for me, even if I were on a sugar-crave!
I can’t believe you were able to give these away. I think I ate half the pan myself before deciding I should probably bring the rest to work to share! They look beautiful. I can’t believe you’re starting pastry school. That’s awesome. I keep thinking about going, but I’m sticking with the bakery for now and seeing where that takes me.
These bars do look rich, but if I got started on them I could do some damage. I have never had a Nanaimo bar, but the elements in these sound really good. I would go ahead and throw in some toasted almonds. Sounds like a good plan to lay off the sweets before Pastry class begins!
The layers look delicious! I can’t wait to follow your progress in pastry school!!
These bars are the best! My Mom has been making them for years, I did not know there was a city though! They are soo good!
Wow, these look good. your pictures are incredible! I actually just found your blog through twitter, and I”m hooked
I don’t know if I’ve ever said anything was “too sweet”, so I’ll definitely have to test out this recipe 
I’m not quite sure when I’ve seen half a dozen posts for the same thing…so they’ve been calling my name for a Girls Nite In I’m hosting tonight. Haven’t tried them because I want to make sure there are some actually left for my guests, but will say…really easy to make!
Heaven in a bar
Your photo made my mouth water. I’m looking forward to your posts about pastry school!
I almost didnt make it either but in the end I whipped them up. They were really easy to make if you cheat like me and use store bought grahams. LOL Very Sweet though! And kind of a weird mouth feel.
How fun your starting pastry school. I just had a friend graduate in December from the CIA in NY. I cant wait to get into the kitchen with him!
I’m glad you ended up participating in this month’s challenge.. Your bars turned out just great. I’m sure they taste just as good as they look.
These surely are a taste of home for me!! Great job they look amazing!
These bars are a Canadian treasure. Grew up with these at all holiday gatherings and special occasions! Another, non-chocolate, take on these lovelies were invented by a lady I know in Sidney, BC named [obviously] ‘Sidney Slice’ … http://www.sidneytorchrelay.ca/blog/lorraine-heryets-award-winning-sidney-slice-recipe.
Just a sinfully sweet….
I could see how something so rich as this could become sweetly contagious. This look great!
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