Nanaimo Cookie Bars

Prep 45 min
Total 1 hr 45 min
Ingredients 12
Servings 36

Prize-Winning Recipe 2009! Try this easier cookie-mix take on a classic layered chocolate and vanilla bar. MORE + LESS -

Ingredients

pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ double chocolate chunk cookie mix

cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2

cup chopped nut topping or chopped walnuts

1/2

cup coconut

cup butter or margarine, melted

egg

You Will Need

cups powdered sugar

tablespoons vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix

1/3

cup butter or margarine, softened

1/4

cup milk

bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

1/4

cup butter or margarine

Directions

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1

Make cookie base: blend cookie mix, graham cracker crumbs, chopped nuts, coconut, butter and egg until well mixed. Spread cookie base into foil lined 13x9-inch pan; press lightly. Bake at 350° for 16 to 18 minutes. Cool completely.
2

Stir together powdered sugar and pudding mix. Add 1/3 cup butter and the milk; beat until smooth (filling will be very thick). Spoon over cookie base; press evenly to cover. Refrigerate.
3

Microwave chocolate chips and 1/4 cup butter uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth. Spread over chilled filling. Refrigerate uncovered until set. Use foil to lift bars from pan; pull foil from sides of bars.

Expert Tips

"Using a cookie mix makes this traditional Christmas classic super easy! So now I make them all year round."
Bars are easiest to cut if they're chilled for 30 minutes.
Canadian legend claims that the bar (chocolate crumb-base, layer of vanilla, covered in chocolate) originated in Nanaimo, Canada, in the 1950s. Although unsubstantiated, the story is that a local housewife submitted the recipe under the name "Nanaimo Bars" for a recipe contest.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Bar

Calories: 270
Calories from Fat: 130

% Daily Value

Total Fat: 14g; 22%
Saturated Fat 8g 41% Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol: 25mg; 9%
Sodium: 150mg; 6%
Potassium: 90mg; 3%
Total Carbohydrate: 34g; 11%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Sugars 26g
Protein: 1g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 6%; 6%
Vitamin C: 0%; 0%
Calcium: 0%; 0%
Iron: 4%; 4%

Exchanges:

1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 3 Fat;