Baked-Bottom Nanaimo Bars

These Nanaimo bars have a baked chocolate graham cracker crust, a layer of chocolate, a creamy vanilla pudding layer, and a coconut topping.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 249 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup flaked coconut
• ½ cup finely chopped almonds
• ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 (5.1 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 ¼ cups milk
• ½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter an 8x8-inch square baking pan.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, beat unsalted butter with sugar with an electric mixer until very creamy, about 1 minute. Add the egg and cocoa powder, and beat until the ingredients are well mixed. Pour in the graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup coconut, and almonds, and beat on low speed until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, and let the crust cool.

Step 4

Melt chocolate chips with 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over very low heat, stirring until well blended. Remove from the heat, allow to cool for several minutes, then spread the chocolate mixture over the crust in a smooth layer. Refrigerate the dish while you make the next layer.

Step 5

Beat the pudding mix and milk in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until the pudding is thick and smooth, about 2 minutes. Spread the pudding over the chocolate layer; sprinkle the dish with 1/4 cup coconut, cover loosely, and refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 1 hour.