Sunday, March 4, 2012

Nutella Nanaimo Bars

Hey, I'm back from the dead! Tea and naps are great. So as my comeback post, I'll give you something super nom-worthy. You may ask, dear reader, as I once did, what the heck is a Nanaimo? The more appropriate question is WHERE is Nanaimo? The answer is British Columbia! 


This tasty treat originated in that great wilderness of Canada in the 1950's. Traditionally, it's a no-bake, three layer dealio, said layers consisting of cookie crumb, vanilla custard, and chocolate topping. There are all sorts of variations out there now, and when I found a nutella version, I knew I had to try it. I feel like nutella is unreasonably popular with hipsters and college kids, but maybe I'm just making that up. 


So, how did my bars fare? Well, I am a Nanaimo novice, so I can't really say how authentic they were. But they tasted soooo good. Everyone who has had one just kind of pauses and sighs after the first bite. My favorite part is not the nutella layer, but the thick oreo and coconut crust. It might have to make another appearance someday. 




Nutella Nanaimo Bars 

2 cups crushed oreos (I used two of the rows in a package)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Filling
3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup Nutella
1 tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Topping
5 oz dark chocolate
2 tbsp unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 8 inch square pan with parchment and spray with non-stick spray. 
Make the base: In a large bowl combine cookie crumbs, sugar, cocoa and coconut and mix together. 
Stir in the melted butter, egg and vanilla, mix all together until damp.
Press the crumbs flat into the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool while preparing the filling. 
Make the filling: In a medium bowl, mix butter and icing sugar and beat together to form a thick paste. Add the Nutella, cream and vanilla and beat until smooth.
Using an offset spatula spread the filling on to the crust. Cover with plastic wrap, directly on the filling, pressing flat. Let chill until firm.  
When firm make the topping. Melt chocolate and butter over a double boiler. When completely melted let cool slightly and spread over the filling layer. Chill again to completely set. Slice into bars and store in the refrigerator. 

  


8 comments:

  1. These do look like a sweet indulgence! Nutella, oreos and coconut, very hard to resist. I am saving this one. Even though making bars is easy, they yield such big flavor if they are done right-like this one. Thanks for sharing.
    By the way, I am back with the doctor and one prescription and two over the counters-one is a nasal wash and one is Mucinex. So I am hoping all three will kick this sinus problem! Glad you are feeling better.

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    1. Hope those medicines fix you right up! I'm pretty much allergic to every major antibiotic, so sinus infections are bad news for me.

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  2. Nutella does make everything better. If only I had a slice. ;)

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    1. Wish you did, it would rock your world ^_^

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  3. Tea and naps AND NUTELLA are great! :D Thanks for sharing!!!!

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    1. My pleasure! Glad you appreciate the small things in life :)

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  4. These certainly sound delicious. They are completely new to me and I can't wait to give them a try. I am new to your blog, so I took some time to browse through your earlier posts. I'm so glad I did that. I really like the food and recipes you share with your readers and I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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Comments make me so happy. I try to respond to each and every one of them!