The January 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Lauren of Celiac Teen. Lauren chose Gluten-Free Graham Wafers and Nanaimo Bars as the challenge for the month. The sources she based her recipe on are 101 Cookbooks and www.nanaimo.ca
I really enjoyed this month’s challenge because I haven’t been able to find Graham Crackers here… yet. I won’t give up hope because, as my mother would say, I look like a boy. She didn’t mean in physical appearance (I hope) but rather that I’m horrific at finding anything. I can be staring at exactly what I need and not see it. I am a very unobservant person.
This fault of mine also makes me a terrific friend. If you have gained ten pounds or gotten a horrible haircut, I can guarantee you I won’t notice. Want to be my friend?
These Graham Crackers were a breeze to make. Unfortunately, I didn’t make them gluten free because I couldn’t find the proper flours. I also happened to burn my first batch to a crisp even though I baked them for the shortest amount of time. Despite all of that, once cooked properly, they taste like the real deal. My son and I have been thoroughly enjoying them as snacks. I’m looking forward to making these again and using the crumbs for cheesecake. Mmm. You can get the recipe I used here or the gluten free version here.
Nanaimo bars have long been a favorite of mine. Since I’ve had them numerous times I thought it was time for a change. It really takes no effort to whip up these bars. You don’t even have to bake them. You just mix and layer the ingredients, pop them in the fridge and your done. This Cappuccino version is to die for. The coffee flavour cuts into the sweetness and makes these much more of an adult-like dessert. One piece was more then enough for me but James and his sweet tooth could devour a couple in one sitting. This is such a simple and delicious treat. If you haven’t already, you should give them a try.
Thanks Lauren for hosting and for bringing me back “home” with these lovely bars of heavenly goodness.
Cappuccino Nanaimo Bars
Base
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 5 Tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup almonds, finely chopped
- 1 cup coconut
- Melt butter, sugar and cocoa over a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over simmering water (making sure it does not come in contact with the water).
- Add the egg and stir to cook and thicken.
- Remove from heat and stir in the graham cracker crumbs, almonds and coconut.
- Press into an 8×8 pan lined with tinfoil (this is for easy removal and slicing but is not necessary).
Filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. heavy cream
- 2 Tbsp. custard powder
- 2 tsp. instant coffee powder
- 2 cups icing sugar
- Beat all ingredients together until well combined and smooth.
- Spread over base.
Topping
- 4 oz. semi sweet chocolate
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- Melt chocolate and butter together over low heat. Allow to cool. Spread on top of filling.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 min.
To serve
Simply remove the bars from the pan using the ends of the foil. Unmold the bars from the foil and slice.
Makes: 16 squares
* You need to allow it to set up in the fridge for at least 30 min. before slicing. But, I recommend you let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight. We had these after 30 min. and all I could taste was the icing sugar. But, the next day the complexity of the flavors really came out and there was no hint of that icing sugar taste left.
* You may substitute Vanilla Pudding Powder if Custard Powder is not available.
27 Comments
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I feel like a bad Canadian because I didn’t have time to do the challenge. Yours, of course, look the best of anyone’s :)
Ha ha.. thanks Hilary. It must be all that Canadian blood running through my veins. :)
I REALLY want to try both of these (except I’d make the nanimo bars mint:)). Yours look so perfect I know I couldn’t compete, but I bet they’d taste good…and I don’t think I could mess them up:) Love you Cher! PS. I love the lighting in these pics!
Mint sounds equally delectable! And, yours would look every bit as good as mine Heidi. I’m trying to shoot more with natural light.. studying up so I can try to get better shots. :)
I love anything coffee flavoured so I can just imagine how good these must taste! Lovely work on the challenge and beautiful photos :)
Your Nanaimo bars look great, what a brilliant idea to use coffee! Cute photography too :-)
wow your cappuccino version sounds heavenly! i will definitely try this next time :)
Your pictures are great!
They look delicious! I would love to try the cappuccino version – perfect with some coffee eh?
Ha ha. I’m surprised, that’s even the proper use. Most people butcher it and use it in the completely wrong places. Your a natural! :P
oh cheri, i’m just the opposite–i notice EVERYTHING! it’s a blessing and a curse. :)
meanwhile, great twist on the nanaimo bar–this coffee-loving gal could hardly stop at one!
The photos are fantastic…and I do want to be your friend! Nice post!
mmm, I love the idea to add cappuccino- I’m sure it went perfectly with the chocolate.
I love your addition of coffee. The next time I make these, I will add espresso powder. The mint idea is really good, too. Excellent photography.
oh what a great variation! they sound, and look, delicious!
I have to give these a go! I love all things coffee flavoured and these bars were good in their original format so with a cappuccino twist? I think I’d be eating it all alone! no sharing!
awesome job!!! your grahams look great.
What a great result for this challenge-
I really like the cappuccino mint combination, it looks superb!
and the phorographs are just amazing!
Great job!
Inbal
(also a DB)
I’m so glad I could bring you back home, even in spirit! The wafers look wonderful and your bars are flawless! Cappuccino sounds like a fantastic flavour for them =D.
Oh yeah, I wanna be your friend :D But seriously, your crackers and bars are perfect and your photos stunning. The coffee flavor must be delicious. Must try it out next time I make these delicious treats.
They look so gorgeous!! At first I thought you might be living in the Netherlands but I was fooled by the cookiejar under your crackers… :) That sure has a Dutch ring to it! Totally love the look of your bars! And cappucino flavor…mmmm
They are from the Netherlands.. you have a good eye! :) My husband bought them for me on his last trip there.
Cappuccino flavor is a good choice. It blends so well with the chocolate and coconut.
Bars look delicious!
Sawadee from Bangkok,
Kris
Absolutely yummy! Lovely job on your Nanaimo bars and a fabulous flavor too.
Natalie @ Gluten a Go Go
Oh.. cappuccino flavored…. sounds just divine.. :)
Your Nanaimo Bars look so pretty! I especially love your pictures of the graham crackers–excellent!! :)
Gosh those photos of the graham crackers actually made me want to rush into the kitchen to make them again! But only for a second, before I regained my sanity.