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Chocolate Orange Nanaimo Bars

Chocolate Orange Nanaimo Bars

Chocolate Orange Nanaimo Bars - a new recipe with a twist on the classic Canadian treat, the Nanaimo bar. Here the sweet center gets infused with tangy orange flavor.
Course Cookies
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 dozen
Author Barry C. Parsons

Ingredients

For the Base Layer

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 8 tbsp cocoa
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 2 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 3/4 cup fine or medium unsweetened coconut
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

For the the Orange Frosting Filling

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 3 tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate
  • zest of one small orange finely minced
  • 3 cups icing sugar i.e., powdered sugar or confectioners sugar
  • 1/4 cup custard powder
  • 1 tbsp milk or enough to get it to a very thick but spreadable consistency

For the Chocolate Topping

  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

To Prepare the Base Layer

  1. In a small saucepan, melt together the butter, sugar and cocoa over low heat.
  2. Add the beaten egg and continue to cook, stirring constantly to fully cook the egg with the mixture resembling a soft scrambled egg texture.
  3. Add the graham crumbs, coconut and walnuts.
  4. Mix together until well combined then, press into the bottom of a parchment paper lined 9×9 inch baking pan.

To Prepare the Orange Frosting Filling

  1. With an electric mixer, beat together the butter, orange juice concentrate, zest, icing sugar custard powder and milk until smooth.

  2. This frosting should be very stiff but spreadable. If you think it’s too thick, you may add a few drops of milk at a time to bring it to the right consistency. If it is too soft, add a littel more icing sugar.
  3. Spread evenly over the bottom layer. Chill in the fridge for a couple of hours before adding the chocolate topping.

TO Prepare the Chocolate Topping

  1. Melt together over low heat, just until the chocolate is melted, don’t over heat it.
  2. Spread quickly over the chilled frosted layer. Return to the fridge until the chocolate sets.
  3. Cut into squares or bars. These freeze very well.

Recipe Notes

Here is  the ingredient list for the base and filling of the original version of this recipe as written in 2011.
For the Base Layer
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
5 tbsp cocoa
one beaten egg
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup fine or medium unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
For the the Orange Frosting Filling
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp pure mint extract
2 cups icing sugar i.e., powdered sugar or confectioners sugar
Zest of one orange finely minced
2 tablespoons frozen Orange juice concentrate