Nanaimo Bars
Expletive. These taste even better than they look. I owe it all to Tara at Seven Spoons. She's bona fide Canadian and much more qualified to write about Nanaimo bars than I am. I grew up eating these. They were our north-of-the-border treat, something we got when we took the B.C. ferry to Victoria or went to the Vancouver Aquarium. And they tended to show up at Bellingham potlucks in the 1980's (alongside the requisite buckets of fried chicken iceberg lettuce salads). When I saw Tara's photo, I literally gasped. My kids said, "What, Mom?!" And I said, "I have to make these cookies." So Loretta and I walked to the store this morning and got busy. I totally let her lick the beater, of course. I never heed the mommy blog warnings about raw eggs.
If you were one of the wonderful participants in the healthy eating class I taught this week at Rainier Health and Fitness, please do not lose faith in me. I still stand by everything I said--avoid white flour and too much sugar, overload your day with vegetables and whole grains, and maybe don't make these this week while you're practicing new, healthier habits. Because they will sing your name through the fridge doors.
A thick layer of bittersweet chocolate ganache on top, crunchy coconut-graham-pecan crust on bottom, and a layer of cheesecake in-between. Not the classic pudding-filled Nanaimo recipe (which is far inferior, I think).
Yancey's re-plumbing our house and emerged from the crawl space for lunch. Anyone else have husbands or partners who have been wearing the same work clothes for 15 years? I think it's smart and sexy--how does he know how to plumb a house?! It always amazes me. He watched me cut these up and stuck his fingers in to grab a little square. He pronounced them the best treats I had ever made. But now I'm annoying you, quoting my biased husband as some kind of credible critic. Definitely don't take his word for it. Make them for your next potluck and upstage the pasta salads and spongy chocolate chip cookies. I dare you.
Nanaimo Bars
Tara adds a bit of sugar to the ganache topping. I left it out because I prefer the topping more bittersweet. I used Ghiradelli 60% chips, which I love to have around for projects like this. Though there are a few steps to the recipe, it really isn't hard at all. Just make sure you line your pan with overhanging foil or parchment, or it will be frustrating to get them out of the pan. And I used regular graham crackers instead of chocolate ones for the crust because that's what I had around.
February 18, 2011
Reader Comments (16)
you're KILLING me, sarah!
Nothing makes a husband sexier than when he's being useful. Pronouncing your bars the best thing ever, just elevates him from there. It's not annoying at all, makes me smile. Years ago, everyone around here made Portland Bars. Makes want to make both of them now. Thanks!
Oh, yeah, I thought EXACTLY the same thing when I read Tara's post: MUST. MAKE. IMMEDIATELY.
I grew up on these, too. They are THE BEST.
ALL CAPS, expletive, whatever.
Plumb on :)
Look at you teaching classes! Love it. These look divine and dangerous!
My mother-in-law's whole family remained in B.C. and Alberta; she was the only one of 5 who married an American. You can imagine the wonderful family gatherings, which ALWAYS included, among other things, Nanaimo Bars, Rogers Golden Syrup, lemon curd, good tea in cups with saucers, and bars called matrimonial bars! I was immediately hooked, having had a Scottish-born grandmother. Here's to our Canadian Cousins, and the exchange of delicious foods. Surely we brought something good to those gatherings, too! And thanks for sharing! I'd almost forgotten about these!
Oh my goodness, this reminds me everywhere we went, I was scouting out the local most remarkable treat for the end of the day. After all don't you know the trip to the Stanley Park, and the Aquarium was for the sole purpose of finding the Best Nanimo bars in Vancouver. Well I'll just have to make these, and sit down with a brig cup of strong coffee and pretend you were small again and I was packing the car to head North to the border.
Ahhh! Nanaimo Bars are my favorite! (Or should I say one of my hundreds of favorites). Your version looks simply divine.
I'm not a fan of Nainamo bars due to the cloying sweet cream middle. Ben loves them. However, cheesecake filling entices me. I'll do some adapting with the crust and after we're done doing another food challenge. St. Patrick's Day might just be it.
i believe you've stated in the past that the blog world rewards desserts - absolutely true. But dear lawd, those look AMAZING and i've never even heard of them. now on my mental list to try in the very near future.
These really look great. I have never heard of a nainamo bar but I'm happy I have now. Im going to a family party on saturday, Usually bring something from the bakery but this looks like I could save alittle money and have a great treat at the sametime.
Despite my baking habits to the contrary, I am not much of a dessert person, but Nanaimo Bars have ALWAYS been a weakness. My daughter has taken to baking with a fierceness. I'll share this recipe with her and see what happens!
sarah...that's exactly the stuff i gave you. :)
These look a little like caramel slice we used to eat growing up in NZ but with cheesecake instead of caramel - I love anything sandwiched between a biscuit base and chocolate, I'll have to give these a go.
I'm making these tomorrow for Fat Tuesday :) I realize being at home and cooking and baking more often that I don't have a 9 in square baking pan. This size pan comes up quite frequently. A good reason to head to Lifelong and Value Village today.
Is there a difference between whipping cream and heavy cream?