Vancouver Bars
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (175 mL) all purpose flour ⓘ
- 3/4 cup (175 mL) almond meal or finely ground almonds (see Notes) ⓘ
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, at room temperature ⓘ
- 1 tsp (5 mL) almond extract
- 2 oz (60 g) unsweetened chocolate, chopped ⓘ
- 1/4 cup (50 mL) whipping (35%) cream
- 2 tbsp (25 mL) instant coffee granules ⓘ
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) coffee liqueur ⓘ
- 2 cups (500 mL) confectioners sugar (icing sugar), sifted ⓘ
- 1/4 cup (50 mL) unsalted butter, at room temperature ⓘ
- 2 tbsp (25 mL) custard powder or vanilla pudding powder
- 4 oz (125 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) unsalted butter ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
- Crust: In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse flour, almond meal, sugar and salt until combined.
- Add butter and almond extract, pulsing until dough just comes together.
- Press dough into prepared pan, smoothing top.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown and firm to the touch.
- Place pan on a rack and let cool completely.
- Filling: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine unsweetened chocolate and cream.
- Microwave, uncovered, on Medium (50%) for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds, or until smooth.
- In a small bowl, whisk together instant coffee and 2 tsp (10 mL) hot water.
- Whisk in liqueur.
- Add to chocolate mixture, whisking well.
- Whisk in confectioners sugar, butter and custard powder until smooth.
- Spread chocolate mixture evenly over cooled crust.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Topping: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate and butter.
- Microwave, uncovered, on Medium (50%) for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds, or until chocolate is soft and almost melted.
- Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Spread over filling in pan.
- Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.
- Invert onto a cutting board to remove from pan and peel off parchment paper.
- Cut into bars.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
929
kcal
46% DV
Protein
Fat
Carbs
Diet fit
High-fiber
Contains
Milk
Wheat/Gluten
Tree nuts
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).