Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo or Na-Nu, Na-Nu bars

There seems to be some confusion on the correct pronunciation of these Canadian treats…Nah Neye Mo or Nah Nigh Mo or anything else between.  I will save that argument for others.  My daughter suggested calling them Na-nu, Na-nu bars in homage to the old Mork and Mindy Show. It really doesn't matter what you call them, just try these caloric bombs. 

Bottom layer

½ cup (one stick) butter

¼ cup granulated sugar

5 tablespoons cocoa powder

Put the first three ingredients in a saucepan that holds 7 cups.  Heat until this mixture is completely melted and combined.  Slowly add a tablespoon of the hot mixture to:

1 egg, beaten

Gradually raise the temperature of the egg by adding the hot liquid, until you can combine it with the sugar mixture…do this off heat.  Stir until well combined and returned to heat, stirring constantly.  Cook on medium heat until thickened or 3-5 minutes.  Worst case scenario, you may find a few scrambled egg bits in the  mix.  Just strain them out and keep going.  Remove from heat and add:

1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup coconut

½ cup pecans, finely chopped

3.0 ounces Mounds bars, chopped

Press into an 8x8-inch ungreased pan and cool.

Second layer

½ cup (one stick butter

2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

2-3 tablespoons cream (go slowly with this...it needs to be stiff)

1 tablespoon vanilla

Beat until very smooth.  Spread over cooled chocolate base and chill for 10 minutes.

Third layer

4 ounces 60% bittersweet chocolate

¼ cup cream

Heat cream in microwave for 20 seconds and add chocolate.  Stir until melted.  Cool 20 minutes.  Stir and spread on top of pudding layer.  Chill.  Cut into 1-inch squares.  These are potent!

Holiday Peppermint Version

I have just substituted a few ingredients to produce a holiday version of this treat.  I hope I’m not breaking any Canadian laws by tampering with the recipe.  

Follow the basic steps outlined above, but use the following ingredients:

Bottom layer

½ cup (one stick) butter

¼ cup granulated sugar

Heat until dissolved and combined.   

1 egg, beaten

(Follow the directions for bringing egg up to temperature before combining with butter/sugar.) Cook until thickened.  Remove from heat and add:

1¼ cups peppermint Oreos, crushed into fine crumbs

½ cup peppermint pieces

½ cup mini chocolate chips

Press into ungreased 8x8-inch pan and cool.

Second layer

Use the same recipe, but add 4 drops of red food coloring.

Third layer

Make the chocolate ganache as directed.  Sprinkle sparingly with crushed peppermint candy.

Don't the ladies of the Barbie Nation look lovely?  While they spent New Year's Eve on the town, I was in the kitchen making chocolate messes.