Rainforest Nanaimo Bars

Nutriscore Rating: 40/100

Indulge in a tropical twist on a Canadian classic with these Rainforest Nanaimo Bars, a no-bake treat bursting with exotic flavors and textures. This three-layered dessert begins with a rich, buttery base highlighted by graham cracker crumbs, unsweetened shredded coconut, and crunchy macadamia nuts. The creamy middle layer features a zesty lime custard, perfectly balancing the sweetness with a refreshing citrus burst. Finished with a glossy, dark chocolate topping, these bars offer a decadent yet vibrant flavor profile that will transport your taste buds to a lush rainforest escape. Easy to prepare and stunning to present, these lime-infused Nanaimo bars are the ultimate dessert for any occasion.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 30 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 40 min
• Servings: 16 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

14 items

• 1 cup Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Sugar
• 5 tablespoons Cocoa powder
• 2 Eggs
• 2 cups Graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup Shredded coconut (unsweetened)
• 0.5 cup Macadamia nuts (chopped)
• 2 cups Powdered sugar
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 tablespoons Heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Lime zest
• 1 tablespoon Fresh lime juice
• 8 ounces Dark chocolate (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons Butter

📝 Instructions

11 steps

1. Prepare the base: In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter over low heat. Stir in sugar and cocoa powder until fully combined.

2. Remove from heat and quickly whisk in two beaten eggs to create a thickened mixture. Be sure to stir constantly to prevent scrambling.

3. Fold in the graham cracker crumbs, shredded coconut, and chopped macadamia nuts until evenly distributed.

4. Press the mixture firmly into a greased 9x9-inch square pan to form the base layer. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the custard layer.

5. Make the custard layer: In a large bowl, beat 2 cups of powdered sugar and 0.5 cups of softened butter until smooth and creamy.

6. Add heavy cream, lime zest, and lime juice to the mixture. Beat until light and fluffy.

7. Spread the custard filling evenly over the chilled base layer. Return the pan to the fridge to set for at least 20 minutes.

8. Create the chocolate topping: Melt 8 ounces of dark chocolate and 2 tablespoons of butter together in a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler. Stir until smooth and glossy.

9. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the chilled custard layer, spreading evenly with an offset spatula.

10. Refrigerate the entire pan for another 30 minutes or until the chocolate topping is fully set.

11. Cut into 16 squares using a warm, sharp knife (warming the knife helps prevent cracking the chocolate). Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (99.1g)

Calories		507
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		34.5 g	44%
	Saturated Fat	20.2 g	101%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		77 mg	26%
Sodium		107 mg	5%
Total Carbohydrate		47.5 g	17%
	Dietary Fiber	3.8 g	13%
	Total Sugars	35.6 g
Protein		4.0 g	8%
Vitamin D		0.4 mcg	2%
Calcium		32 mg	2%
Iron		2.7 mg	15%
Potassium		195 mg	4%

*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: 4962 cal (60.1%%)

Protein: 252 cal (3.1%%)

Carbs: 3038 cal (36.8%%)