Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar (Canada)

From Food Network Kitchens

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (55)

Cook Time:
10 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
5 dozen bars

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: 30 min
Cook: 10 min
Total:: 1 hr 0 min

Recipe Tools:

Select a Card Size

Add To My Recipe Box

Success

This recipe was added to your Folder_Name folder.

Do not show this message again

Add To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to add this recipe to your Recipe Box.

Ingredients

Cookie:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1 large egg, beaten
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 cup finely chopped blanched almonds

Peanut Butter Filling:

1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Chocolate Glaze:

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

Line an 8 by 8-inch baking pan or casserole with aluminum foil, with long flaps hanging over each edge.

For the cookie: Put the butter in a heatproof medium bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer over medium-low heat. Set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Once the butter is melted, add the sugar and cocoa, and stir to combine. Add the egg and cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, until warm to the touch and slightly thickened (it should be about the consistency of hot fudge), about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in graham crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press the dough firmly into the prepared pan. (Save the pan of water for melting the chocolate.)

For the filling: Beat the butter, peanut butter and confectioners' sugar together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light. Spread over the cookie and freeze while you prepare the chocolate glaze.

For the glaze: Put the chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl, and set over the barely simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. (Alternatively, put the chocolate and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt at 50 percent power in the microwave until soft, about 1 minute. Stir, and continue to heat until completely melted, about 1 minute more.). When cool but still runny, pour the chocolate layer over the chilled peanut butter layer and carefully smooth out with an offset spatula. Freeze 30 minutes.

To serve, remove from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Pull out of the pan using the foil flaps and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 1-inch squares with a sharp knife. Serve cool or at room temperature.

Busy baker's tips: Finished bars can be wrapped in the pan in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil and frozen for up to 1 month.

Next Recipe

More recipes? Try these recommendations:

Picture of Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar (Canada) Recipe

Photo: Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar (Canada)

Similar Recipes

All About…

Recipe Collections

Showing 1-10 of 55

View all 55 Dessert Collections

Comments & Reviews

recipe Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar (Canada)
Ramona Phoenix, AZ 06-19-2009
Flag

Delicious Combination of Flavors!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made these yesterday and followed the recipe with the exception of doubling the peanut butter filling (read the reviews... before making). This is a nice no-bake option during the hot summer months in Phoenix. Initially, I was a liittle disappointed when I tasted a small piece after letting it set up in the refrigerator for a few hours. Like another reviewer, I thought the individual layers were good but the combination not the "bomb" I was expecting. I had another small piece a few minutes ago, and this dessert definitely improves with age! My kids have already polished off over half the pan! It is very rich, so it does need to be cut in fairly small pieces. Mine are even smaller than the picture shown (also sans peanut). Other than when preparing the glaze, I didn't put my pan in the freezer to chill, and I had no problems cutting it up - the glaze didn't crack nor did the filling ooze. I will keep this recipe and pull it out when I'm looking for an easy no-bake dessert!Read more
recipe Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar (Canada)
Sue Atlanta, GA 05-03-2009
Flag

What is everyone raving about?
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

I made these exactly according to the recipe. They were impossible to cut. If cut frozen the top layer cracked (in spite of... warming the knife), and if cut when they've defrosted, the middle layer oozed out. I went to two dinner parties and brought these to both of my hostesses along with other tidbits. They were not well received at all. Several people took a bite and left the rest. I asked for their honest opinions. Most thought they looked pretty but were very average tasting. I asked if any of them were interested in having the recipe. None were.Read more
recipe Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar (Canada)
JOY Wilmington, NC 01-21-2009
Flag

my new favorite cookie
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These cookies are perfect just the way they are. I do not add or subtract ingredients, (although I do leave the peanut off... the top) and everyone I make them for loves them! I will hang on to this recipe forever, and will make them every year for Christmas...and whenever else I have a craving for them. Delish.Read more
recipe Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar (Canada)
Julia Pittsburgh, PA 01-08-2009
Flag

Best of the Season
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Out of the tweleve christmas cookies i baked this season, these were the most popular! Easy and quick- they keep so well in... the freezer. Only one small complaint- they are a little tough to cut, but i soaked the knife in warm water and that helped a lot! Thank you, such a yummy treat!Read more
recipe Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar (Canada)
Merrideth Cocoa, FL 12-15-2008
Flag

Great Gift Food
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made these as a Birthday treat for a friend who loves Peanut Butter and Chocolate, but doesn't like things that are sticky... sweet. What a perfect recipe! I did take the advice of other reviews and double the amount of peanut butter filling. An absolute hit that I'll be making again for Christmas. Thanks!Read more
recipe Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar (Canada)
Liz West Hartford, CT 12-11-2008
Flag

A hit with everyone
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Everyone who tried these loved them and they stretch quite far since you only need small pieces. Made them last year and now... they are on my annual Christmas baking list!Read more