Canada Bars (a.k.a Nanaimo Bars)
A classic Canadian no-bake dessert. These decadent bars are the perfect combination of chocolate, coconut, and creamy filling that are sure to become your next favorite dessert to share!
Ingredients
Bottom Layer
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
- 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Middle Layer
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar (confectioner's sugar or icing sugar)
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp vanilla pudding mix
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Top Layer
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 3 tbsp butter
Instructions
Bottom Layer
- Lay a piece of parchment paper into an 8x8 or 7x11 pan. Leave enough extra to be able to lift out bars with parchment paper later.
- Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar. Remove the pot from the heat then add the egg and whisk until it had thickened, about 30 seconds. Stir in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and walnuts.
- Press the crust firmly into the prepared pan. Use either your hands or the flat bottom of a glass or measuring cup, this is not a sticky base.
- Chill in refrigerator until middle layer is ready.
Middle Layer
- Cream butter with electric mixer. Add remaining middle layer ingredients and cream together until combined and fluffy. Spread evenly over the first layer.
- Place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the middle layer is firm.
Top Layer
- Add the chocolate and butter to a pan over low heat, whisking occasionally until combined and melted.
- Spread evenly over set and chilled middle layer.
- Chill in refrigerator for about 15 minutes or until chocolate is partially set (still able to cut through but holds shape). Cut into bars to prevent cracking after chocolate completely hardens. Return to refrigerator until chocolate layer is completely set.
Notes
Store, covered, in the refrigerator. Apparently, these can also be frozen, but they've never lasted that long in my house...
Bars can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.