why make this recipe
Chocolate Orange Nanaimo Bars are a delightful twist on the classic Nanaimo bar. They combine rich chocolate flavors with a zesty orange kick, making them unique and delicious. Not only are they easy to make, but they also look impressive on a dessert table. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want a sweet treat at home, these bars are sure to please everyone!
how to make Chocolate Orange Nanaimo Bars
Ingredients :
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¾ cup butter
- 3 tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate
- zest of one small orange, finely minced
- 3 cups icing sugar (powdered sugar or confectioners sugar)
- ¼ cup custard powder
- 1 tablespoon milk (or enough to get it to a very thick but spreadable consistency)
- ¾ cup butter
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 8 tablespoon cocoa
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut (fine or medium)
- ½ cup walnuts, finely chopped
Directions :
- In a small saucepan, melt together the butter, sugar, and cocoa over low heat.
- Add the beaten egg and continue to cook while stirring constantly. You want the mixture to resemble a soft scrambled egg texture.
- Add the graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and walnuts. Mix well until everything is combined.
- Press this mixture into the bottom of a parchment paper-lined 9×9 inch baking pan.
- Take an electric mixer and beat together the butter, orange juice concentrate, orange zest, icing sugar, custard powder, and milk until smooth. The frosting should be stiff but spreadable. If it’s too thick, add a few drops of milk at a time until you achieve the right consistency. If it’s too soft, add a little more icing sugar.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the bottom layer in the pan.
- Chill in the fridge for a couple of hours before adding the chocolate topping.
- Melt the chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of butter together in a saucepan over low heat, just until melted – be careful not to overheat it.
- Spread the melted chocolate quickly over the chilled frosted layer.
- Return to the fridge until the chocolate sets.
- Cut into squares or bars. These bars freeze very well.
how to serve Chocolate Orange Nanaimo Bars
Serve these delightful bars chilled or at room temperature. They can be plated as squares or bars, and for a fancy touch, you can dust them with a little icing sugar before serving. A cup of tea or coffee pairs wonderfully with these treats!
how to store Chocolate Orange Nanaimo Bars
Store the Chocolate Orange Nanaimo Bars in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep well for up to one week. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper before freezing.
tips to make Chocolate Orange Nanaimo Bars
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for the frosting to reach the right consistency.
- For an extra orange flavor, add more orange zest to the frosting.
- If you don’t have custard powder, you can skip it, but the texture might be slightly different.
variation
You can swap out the walnuts for other nuts like pecans or leave them out completely for a nut-free version. For a different flavor, try using lemon juice instead of orange juice.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these bars ahead of time?
A: Yes! They can be made a few days in advance and stored in the fridge or frozen for longer storage.
Q: Can I use fresh orange juice instead of frozen?
A: Yes, you can use fresh orange juice, but it may add additional moisture to the frosting.
Q: What if I don’t like coconut?
A: You can simply omit the coconut from the recipe and replace it with additional graham cracker crumbs for the base.
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Orange Nanaimo Bars
Ingredients
For the Base
- 1 cup chocolate chips For the topping
- 2 tablespoons butter For melting with chocolate
- ¾ cup butter Softened for the base
- 2¼ cups graham cracker crumbs Base ingredient
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut Fine or medium
- ½ cup walnuts Finely chopped, can be substituted
- ⅓ cup sugar For base mixture
- 8 tablespoons cocoa Unsweetened
- 2 eggs beaten For binding
For the Frosting
- 3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate Can substitute with fresh orange juice
- zest of one small orange finely minced For added orange flavor
- 3 cups icing sugar Powdered sugar or confectioners sugar
- ¼ cup custard powder Can be omitted but changes texture
- 1 tablespoon milk Additional might be needed for consistency
Instructions
Base Preparation
- In a small saucepan, melt together the butter, sugar, and cocoa over low heat.
- Add the beaten egg and continue to cook while stirring constantly until the mixture resembles a soft scrambled egg texture.
- Add the graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and walnuts. Mix well until everything is combined.
- Press this mixture into the bottom of a parchment paper-lined 9×9 inch baking pan.
Frosting Preparation
- Using an electric mixer, beat together the butter, orange juice concentrate, orange zest, icing sugar, custard powder, and milk until smooth.
- The frosting should be stiff but spreadable. Adjust with milk or icing sugar as needed.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the bottom layer in the pan.
- Chill in the fridge for a couple of hours before adding the chocolate topping.
Chocolate Topping
- Melt the chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of butter together in a saucepan over low heat, being careful not to overheat.
- Spread the melted chocolate quickly over the chilled frosted layer.
- Return to the fridge until the chocolate sets.
- Cut into squares or bars. These bars freeze very well.
Leave a Reply