Wednesday, February 24, 2010

DULCE DE LECHE CHEESECAKE NANAIMO BARS

Have you heard of Nanaimo Bars? I First heard of these, last month, Nanaimo Bars were the Daring Bakers Challenge which was hosted by Lauren of Celiac Teen,  check HERE for the DB Challenge- January.

Nanaimo (NAH-NYE-MOH) Bars are a classic Canadian dessert created in Nanaimo, British Colombia.

Yes, I'm a Daring Kitchen member but only joined the Daring Cooks not the Daring Bakers. I don't think i can do both, but this Nanaimo Bars were just calling my name!! I had to make them and try them. So here goes my version.

I adapted the DB Challenge recipe. There were a lot of versions for the middle layer so i thought of coming up with my own middle layer.

Ingredients:

For Nanaimo Bars — Bottom Layer

1/2 cup (115 g) (4 ounces) Unsalted Butter
1/4 cup (50 g) (1.8 ounces) Granulated Sugar
5 tablespoons (75 mL) Unsweetened Cocoa
1 Large Egg, Beaten
1 1/4 cups (300 mL) (160 g) (5.6 ounces) Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/2 cup (55 g) (1.9 ounces) Roasted Almonds (Finely chopped)**
1 cup (130 g) (4.5 ounces) Roasted Coconut (Shredded, sweetened or unsweetened)

*** I learned from my co-Daring cooks that roasting gives another layer of flavor to what ever dish you're making. So i suggest you roast the almonds and the coconuts, they taste really good.

For Nanaimo Bars — Middle Layer

1/2 cup (115 g) (4 ounces) Unsalted Butter
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons (40 mL) plain yogurt***
2 tablespoons (30 mL) Cheesecake Instant pudding or pie filling
2 tablespoon Dulce de Leche
2 cups (254 g) (8.9 ounces) Icing Sugar

For Nanaimo Bars — Top Layer
4 ounces (115 g) Semi-sweet chocolate
2 tablespoons (28 g) (1 ounce) Unsalted Butter

Directions:
For bottom Layer: Melt unsalted butter, sugar and cocoa in top of a double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, nuts and coconut. Press firmly into an ungreased 8 by 8 inch pan.

For Middle Layer: Cream butter, yogurt, dulce de leche, pudding mix, and icing sugar together well. Beat until light in colour. Spread over bottom layer.

For Top Layer: Melt chocolate and unsalted butter over low heat. Cool. Once cool, pour over middle layer and chill.


They are so sweet, a small cut about 1x1 size would suffice.


12 comments:

  1. Oh Pia! This looks awesome. I actually have all these ingredients to! I will try this, this weekend. You are so very right about roasting your ingredients for the flavor. Looks fantastic!

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  2. Hi, Cheryl!!! Yay!! Does this mean you get an update everytime i blog? I got your message and tried my best to fix my blog and all. Thank you for letting me know.

    These are delish in moderation ofcourse=;) I want to try something else hhmm. I think you'll love this as well. Let me know how yours came out and what you thing about this Canadian Bars.

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  3. I've been seeing these Nanaimo bars all over foodgawker since they were the daring bakers' challenge and planned on making them. I love your version and I think this is something Marina would go gaga over!! She loves Nanaimo Bars and dulce de leche! I hope you posted this on myspace so she can check it out.

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  4. Gorgeous job on my challenge! I love the dulce de leche and cheesecake combo =D.

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  5. Yum yum yum! I love what you did for the middle layer!

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  6. All the layers make a great combination, colorwise and flavorwise... I should quickly invite you into DB Bakers, it is so much fun you know?

    So pretty obvious, Tiramisu is your next calling :-)

    Sawadee from bangkok,
    Kris

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  7. Hi TaGa_Luto, you never fail to make my mouth water with all these delicious dishes. Those bars are looking very tempting and I bought some Dulce de Leche today!
    I like the new look of the blog!
    Take care now my friend. xxx

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  8. Hello, V! I know, right? I knew you'd like this same with Marina. I did send her this recipe. Can't wait for yours and Marina's take on this.

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  9. Lauren! This was a great challenge even if i'm not a DB member. Good job!

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  10. Hi, Chef_D you were one of the inspiration as to why i made them. Like i said you went to town with all your nanaimo bar versions=;) Can't wait for your feb. DC challenge!

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  11. Hi, Kris! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment,that means a lot to me=;). I tried my very best to cut them nicely but the filling gets soft quickly. As for the DB oh, i don't know, i don't think i can take or do all the challenges. I'm okay with waiting for the reveal and ogle and read all those wonderful blogs. After the reveal then i'd have to see if i can do it or not=;) Tiramisu is one of my fave. I make them but never from scratch and you're right i'm thinking about it ha!ha!ha! who knew lady fingers and marscopne are that easy to make! Oh..i'll do lamingtons first!

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  12. Thank you, Raymonde! I did some early spring cleaning to my blog layout=;) Let me know how your bars came out. I love dulce de leche, i also use them as a spread for my toasted bread yum!

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