Saturday, July 23, 2011

Nut Free Nanaimo Bars


I don't know about you, but here in the North Eastern states it has been HOT and humid!  I haven't had my oven on in a week so I had to come up with something that didn't require baking.  While searching the internet I found tons of recipes for Nanaimo Bars and I have to admit, I've never heard of these before (I know, I'm sorry).  However they looked and sounded delicious.  I omitted the nuts, added toasted coconut and changed a few other ingredients too.  If you have a chocolate craving or a sweet tooth, this is a quick and simple recipe for you!


Ingredients are as follows:

Base:
1/2 C butter 
1/4 C sugar
5 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1 egg, beaten
1 3/4 C graham cracker crumbs (about 12 graham crackers)
1 cup coconut

Filling:
1/2 C butter, softened
1/4 C milk
4 Tbsp. Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
2 C powdered sugar

Topping:
1/2 C chocolate chips
1/2 C toasted coconut

Directions:

Line an 8 x 8 inch pan with saran wrap; set aside.
 

Over low heat, melt butter, sugar and cocoa.


Remove from heat and slowly add beaten egg. Place back on low heat and stir until thickened.


Add the graham cracker crumbs and coconut.


Stir until combined; press into the bottom of the pan.  Set aside.


Cream together the butter, milk, pudding mix and powdered sugar.


Spread this on top of the chocolate layer.


Melt chocolate chips (in microwave), spread on top of the cream layer.


Sprinkle on the toasted coconut.  Allow to cool in the fridge for an hour.


Remove from pan using the saran wrap.


Slice, serve and enjoy!



This recipe is linked up to these lovely blog parties!


 

44 comments:

  1. Ooohh, so many yummy layers.

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  2. Yes, Nanaimo is a new term for me, too, but I've seen it around over the last couple of weeks. These do look delicious and I like to find substitutions for nuts in case I'm out of them. I'm in the southeastern U.S. We've had 105 plus heat indexes. It's terrible. Thanks for sharing on Sweet Indulgences Sunday.

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  3. These look delicious, I have been doing all cooking before 12pm to cut down on the heat. But, even that is awful!

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  4. No oven on allowed in our house either when it is soooo hot! These look so yummy! Will have to give these a try, thanks!

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  5. Oh, those bars look great. The fact that they're no bake makes them even better! Hope you're having a nice weekend, Lisa :)
    Katie

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  6. Chocolate and coconut-my two favorites! The oven isn't on in my house either!

    Hope you will please drop by and enter my $50 Overstock.com Gift Card Giveaway!!

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  7. Wow! It looks so yummy! Chocolate and coconut my all time favourites!Very creative. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe:)
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  8. Oh my word...these look so great! I haven't heard of them before either, but not turning my oven on sounds like a great idea! Thanks for sharing at Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop, I am co-hosting this week and I am so happy I found you there! I am now your newest follower, I hope you can stop by when you get a chance!

    creativecarmella.blogspot.com

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  9. Looks delicious, and it's so nice to have a recipe that doesn't require an oven for the summer months. I'm in California and it gets much too hot in much of the state.

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  10. These are my fav!!!!! I haven't made them in a while, and now I think I know what I'm going to do tomorrow :D Yours look FAB!

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  11. Aren't these delish?! Your recipe is very similar to mine. My grandmother is from British Columbia near Nanaimo on Vancouver island so she made these for us growing up. I am a new follower (via Tempt my Tummy) and would love if you would follow me too. :) Kerstin

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  12. Are you kidding me? those look like little pieces of heavenly yumminess!

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  13. Now that looks so yummy. Thanks for sharing at my Sizzle into Summer party.

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  14. Don't feel bad--I have never heard of them either!! But I definitely want some now! I think I am going to try them this weekend.

    Shanan (new follower)
    http://yogi-mommy.blogspot.com/

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  15. Your blog makes me hungry. I LOVE sugar!

    Stopping by from VoiceBoks!
    http://ziggysblogs.blogspot.com

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  16. I'd never heard of these, although I've seen a lot of similar treats. Your blog is dangerous, lol! Bury me in it!
    Blessings,
    Lisa (Members to remember)
    http://susannasapron.blogspot.com/

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  17. I've never heard of these either. WHY have I never heard of these??? They look amazing. I'm drooling...

    Gina from vB
    www.totallyfullofit.com

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  18. This sounds very delicious and a cool treat great for these extremely hot summer days! Thanks for sharing! Following from Voiceboks and Members 2 remember.

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  19. This recipe looks really good! It would be great if you came over to Cast Party Wednesday tomorrow and shared some of your recipes.
    Thanks,
    I hope to see you there!

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  20. Those look wonderful!!! I have never heard the word either but like other readers have seen simialr treats. What a great sweet to make in the heat!! Plus, it looks like one the kids could really have fun making too! I'm going to have to file this one for a rainy day!!! Thanks. I love to visit your site, you always have such great recipes!

    Kathy - Visiting from VoiceBoks!

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  21. I've never heard of these either, but they look and sound yummy!
    Thanks for sharing,
    Kristina

    Visiting from vB.

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  22. Just totally mean to do to me this morning! I haven't eaten breakfast yet and I've got this amazing post staring at me with PICTURES. You're killing me!
    But I'm glad I came to visit from voiceBoks!
    Staci

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  23. I always seem to have these at parties around here, but they are always store bought. I didn't know they were that easy to make! Thanks.

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  24. This is really cool and easy looking. It looks amazing! Thanks for sharing. New follower from the hop. Stop by and see my fondant recipe and I would love for you to follow back. http://tootsabellarose.blogspot.com/2011/07/marshmallow-fondant-for-cake.html

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  25. Visiting from VB. That looks soooooo good!

    Clayton
    http://www.claytonpaulthomas.com

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  26. delicious as always!!! they look so easy and great for these hot days!
    http://homesandbabies.blogspot.com

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  27. You always post the most delicious looking desserts! If I eat all of these, I won't be able to fit in my front door ;)

    Jessica K
    http://mom4realky.blogspot.com

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  28. Nainamo Bars are a favorite Canadian treat originally from/made in the city of Nainamo, BC. I suggest trying a recipe without changing too much as those are the best I have ever tasted!! I do love me some coconut though and I am excited to try that addition.

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  29. You had me at "desserts"! I love your step by step pictorial! It really helps make the post! I am a new follower from VB. I would love for you to stop by http://aboutamom.com to say hi!

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  30. All I can think of when seeing these "temptation" bars, is no baking. In this heat, to end up with a fantastic dessert without baking is wonderful. Thanks for linking this to Let's Do Brunch.

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  31. wow... Looks yummylicious... !!!

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  32. My kids absolutely love Nanaimo Bars.....great recipe. I like your little change in it.

    Thank you for sharing it at Foodie Wednesday. Hope you can stop by next week with anther great recipe.

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  33. Looks delish.

    We'd love you to share your recipes with us at
    Simply Delish Saturday

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  34. Hi! am dropping by from VB. Over here in Msia, it's very hot too. Pass weeks iyt had been very hazy. Luckily it rained this morning. Cool down a lot

    Gosh...am drooling just from looking at the photo. Mind sending a piece over? LOL.

    kathy
    http://www.smallkucing.com
    http://mamakucingbooks.blogspot.com

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  35. these look so fabulous...however...i will never make them because i'm the only one in my whole family who likes coconut and i would eat them all! thanks for linking to fridays unfolded.

    alison

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  36. Your bars look so good!

    I'd love for you to stop by for my Friday Favorites party!

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  37. My grandchildren would love this!!!Have a great weekend. Big hugs from your VB friend.

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  38. Yum, they look fantastic! It's been really hot here too - I'm in Virginia.

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  39. I made this yesterday and they are amazing. The white layer is really sweet, but the other two are not too sweet so it balances well. (at least my chocolate later was not too sweet because I realized I bought bittersweet chocolate chips--but it worked!)

    Thank you for sharing!!
    Shanan
    http://yogi-mommy.blogspot.com/

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  40. Hi Lisa,
    What an awesome bar, it looks just delicious. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again real soon. Hope you are having a great week!
    Miz Helen

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  41. You know, I've never had these! I think I'm convinced to try them though!! Thanks for linking up :)

    Ashton
    www.somethingswanky.com
    {Sweet Treats Thursday}

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  42. Thank You So MUCH for joining me last week for Cast Party Wednesday. I hope you will come back tomorrow and share more of your recipes with us.
    Thanks,
    I hope to see you there!

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