Cranberry Nanaimo Bars

Indulge in the festive flavors of Cranberry Nanaimo Bars, a decadent twist on the Canadian classic that layers rich chocolate, tangy cranberry, and buttery sweetness into a no-bake treat. This recipe starts with a graham cracker, coconut, and dried cranberry base, followed by a luscious cranberry buttercream filling made with cranberry juice and powdered freeze-dried cranberries for a pop of color and flavor. Topped with a glossy layer of semisweet chocolate, these bars are as stunning as they are irresistible. Perfect for holiday entertaining or simply satisfying a sweet craving, these easy-to-make bars come together in just 30 minutes of prep time and are best served chilled to showcase their creamy, tangy, and chocolatey goodness.

Nutriscore Rating: 41/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 1 cup Unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 large Egg
• 2 cups Graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup Unsweetened shredded coconut
• 0.5 cup Dried cranberries (chopped)
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter (for cranberry layer)
• 2 cups Powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp Milk
• 1 tbsp Freeze-dried cranberry powder (optional for color)
• 3 tbsp Cranberry juice
• 1 cup Semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter (for chocolate topping)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the bottom layer: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter. Stir in granulated sugar and cocoa powder until smooth.

Step 2

Add the egg while whisking constantly to prevent it from scrambling. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.

Step 3

Remove the saucepan from heat and mix in the graham cracker crumbs, shredded coconut, and chopped dried cranberries until well combined.

Step 4

Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of an 8x8-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for 20 minutes while preparing the next layer.

Step 5

Prepare the cranberry layer: Cream together 0.5 cups of unsalted butter, powdered sugar, milk, freeze-dried cranberry powder (if using), and cranberry juice in a mixing bowl until fluffy and evenly colored and textured.

Step 6

Spread the cranberry mixture evenly over the chilled bottom layer. Refrigerate for another 20 minutes.

Step 7

Prepare the chocolate topping: Melt the semisweet chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of butter together in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Step 8

Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cranberry layer and spread it out evenly using a spatula.

Step 9

Chill the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour until the layers are firm and the chocolate is set.

Step 10

Using a sharp knife, cut the Cranberry Nanaimo Bars into 16 squares. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1451.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6447.1

Total Fat 376.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 233.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 796.4mg	0%
Sodium 1640.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 803.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 63.2g	0%
Total Sugars 593.5g
Protein 59.6g	0%

Vitamin D 167.6IU	0%
Calcium 519.4mg	0%
Iron 30.3mg	0%
Potassium 2804.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.5%

Protein: 3.5%

Carbs: 47.0%