These have become a staple on my Christmas baking list since they were first introduced to me via my friend Stacy, who put together a cookbook filled with her favorite recipes, most of which included chocolate, as a wedding gift. I cherished that gift and still use the recipes and cookbook today. I love the flavor combination of these bar cookies, that I deem somewhat healthy because of all the oats, coconut and walnuts.
No-Bake Nanaimo Bars
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I have to substitute extra oats here becuase of the nut allergy in our house)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
Frosting:
3 Tab. butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons and 1 1/2 teaspoons milk
Topping:
2 Tablespoons butter
4 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup (1 cube) butter with 2 squares of the chocolate. Remove from the heat and stir in the white sugar, egg, rolled oats, coconut, chopped nuts and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Press mixture into a greased 9 inch square pan and chill for one hour.
2. Combine the powdered sugar with 3 Tablespoons of hte softened butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and the milk. Mix until it has an icing-like consistency and spread it over the chilled oat mixture. Chill for 30 minutes.
3. Melt the remaining 2 Tablespoons of butter with the remaining 4 squares of chocolate. Spread over the top of the bars. Chill for 4 to 5 hours.
4. To cut through the chocolate topping neatly (unlike my photos), dip knife in hot water and let it melt through the chocolate as you cut the bars into squares.
*These freeze really well and are great to have on hand.
Makes 24 servings.
