Vanilla Nanaimo Bars
Prep
20 mins
Cook
25 mins
Servings
12
Difficulty
Easy
My favorite thing about making these vanilla Nanaimo bars is how incredibly quick they come together. With just 45 minutes total from start to finish, you've got a show stopping dessert that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen. The dark chocolate in these bars is packed with antioxidants, so you can feel a little better about indulging. What I love most is the simplicity of the ingredients and the minimal fuss involved. These bars are perfect for when you want something impressive but don't want to stress yourself out in the kitchen.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 250all-purpose flour
- 180unsalted butter
- 200granulated sugar
- 100confectioners' sugar
- 5unsweetened vanilla extract
- 100unsalted butter for pressing
- 200chopped dark chocolate
- 1salt
- 20unsalted butter for dusting
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- 2
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, confectioners' sugar, and salt.
Tip: Make sure to sift the flour for an even texture.
- 3
Add the unsalted butter to the bowl and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Tip: Be careful not to overwork the mixture.
- 4
Press half of the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- 5
In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the granulated sugar and unsalted butter until light and fluffy.
Tip: Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- 6
Add the unsweetened vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until combined.
- 7
Pour the vanilla mixture over the pressed crust.
- 8
Top the vanilla layer with the chopped dark chocolate.
Tip: Make sure to spread the chocolate evenly.
- 9
Press the remaining crust mixture over the top of the chocolate layer.
- 10
Cut into bars and dust with unsalted butter.
Tip: This will help prevent the bars from becoming too crumbly.
- 11
Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into them.
Tip: This will help the bars set properly.
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