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Nanaimo Cookie Bars

Prize-Winning Recipe 2009! Try this easier cookie-mix take on a classic layered chocolate and vanilla bar.

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( 115 Ratings)

115 Ratings

5 Stars 39%

4 Stars 23%

3 Stars 18%

2 Stars 13%

1 Stars

Member Reviews ( 10 )

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Prep Time 45 min
Total Time 1 hr 45 min
Servings 36

Ingredients

Cookie Base

1: pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® double chocolate chunk cookie mix

1: cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2: cup chopped nut topping or chopped walnuts

1/2: cup coconut

1: cup butter or margarine, melted

1: egg

Filling

4: cups powdered sugar

4: tablespoons vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix

1/3: cup butter or margarine, softened

1/4: cup milk

Topping

1: bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

1/4: cup butter or margarine

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Directions

1 Heat oven to 350°F. Line bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with foil, leaving foil overhanging at 2 opposite sides of pan. In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until well mixed. Spread into pan; press lightly. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until set. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
2 In another large bowl, stir together powdered sugar and pudding mix. Add 1/3 cup butter and the milk; beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth (filling will be very thick). Spoon over cookie base; press evenly to cover. Refrigerate while making topping.
3 In small microwaveable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth. Spread over filling. Refrigerate uncovered until set, about 30 minutes.
4 Use foil to lift bars from pan; pull foil from sides of bars. Cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

EXPERT TIPS

Expert Tips

"Using a cookie mix makes this traditional Christmas classic super easy! So now I make them all year round."

Bars are easiest to cut if they're chilled for 30 minutes.

Canadian legend claims that the bar (chocolate crumb-base, layer of vanilla, covered in chocolate) originated in Nanaimo, Canada, in the 1950s. Although unsubstantiated, the story is that a local housewife submitted the recipe under the name "Nanaimo Bars" for a recipe contest.

Got questions? Our experts have the answers. Ask Betty now.

View Full Nutrition Information

Nutrition Information

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING

Serving Size: 1 Bar

Calories: 270
Calories from Fat: 130),

% Daily Value

Total Fat: 14g; 14%
(Saturated Fat 8g, 8% Trans Fat 0g 0% ),
Cholesterol: 25mg; 25%;
Sodium: 150mg; 150%;
Total Carbohydrate: 34g; 34%
(Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Sugars 26g 26% ),
Protein: 1g; 1%

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 6%;
Vitamin C: 0%;
Calcium: 0%;
Iron: 4%;

Exchanges:

1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 3 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choices:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

REVIEWS & COMMENTS

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1 - 3 of 10 Reviews View All

Posted 7/1/2012 1:37:39 PM REPORT ABUSE AirborneGranger said:

Rating:

My son ate most of the Graham crackers so he had to use saltine crackers to get the right measurement. We did not have powdered sugar, so we used sweetened condensed milk & used 1 tbsp. cornstarch dissolved in the cold milk. We also used Dark Chocolate chips mixed with White Chocolate chips, instead of milk chocolate chips. We were out of butter so we used coconut oil instead. These cookies are super-rich and delicious! <3

This reply was: Helpful Inspiring

Posted 12/31/2011 10:39:56 AM REPORT ABUSE karenhayden1 said:

Rating:

To cut the chocolate without it breaking,you need to score through it first just before its set, then once fully chilled you can cut all the way through with a sharp knife, hope that helps. This is the perfect substitute for the original recipe b/c it requires much less effort and attention.

This reply was: Helpful Inspiring

Posted 12/2/2011 10:58:21 AM REPORT ABUSE tmmaa said:

Rating:

Please help!! I made these and many other bar cookies that have a hard chocolate topping. I need to know how to cut these type of bars without breaking the topping. Mine always crack everywhere while cutting. I also can never get a smoothe cut on fudge. Please help??

This reply was: Helpful Inspiring