Nutty, coconutty, chocolate-y, and frosting covered, these Marmae Bars are a classic dessert passed down from my mother-in-law. And perfect for the holiday season.
As I was trying to prepare my blog for Christmas, and get together recipes that would actually be helpful for you guys for celebrating the holidays, and enjoying time with family. I enlisted the help of my family and friends. So I asked what recipes they love making during the holidays, and what their traditions are.
I got a lot of answers like thumbprint cookies, chocolate and peppermint, a roasted turkey, cranberry, etc. But I also got a handful of suggestions I had not considered before, and these Marmae Bars are one of those.
Marmae Bars
I had never heard of Marmae Bars before. Have you? But as I talked with my mother in law, she told me about how her family would make these every year at Christmas time. I asked her to make them so I could try them, and now I am hooked. In my freezer, I have a bag full of them, just waiting to be put on my neighbor gift treat plates. I am not sure they will make it that long, as I keep snitching them.
So what is a Marmae Bars exactly? Graham cracker, coconut, walnuts, and chocolate combine to form the base of these bars. Then they are topped with a frosting, and more chocolate to make a classic holiday bar. The fun thing about these bars is that while they have a great flavor profile already, you can customize it some too. I added a tiny bit of peppermint extract to my frosting to get a chocolate mint flavor, but I thought it would be equally delicious with some orange flavoring, or lemon. It is also great plain.
Another thing I really loved about this Marmae Bars recipe is it is a little different from what I traditionally think of when I think of holiday recipes. But it is in fact a tradition from my husband’s family.
Other Christmas treats to try:
- Christmas Sugar Cookies
- White Chocolate Peppermint Christmas Popcorn
- Wassail
- Peppermint Brownie Drumsticks
- Gingerbread
Marmae Bars
Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cup finely chopped graham crackers
- 1 cup coconut shreds
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 3/4 cup butter divided
- 1/4 cup sugar + 1 Tbs divided
- 5 Tbs cocoa powder
- 2 cups confectioner sugar
- 1 large egg
Peppermint Buttercream
- 1/2 pound 2 cups of Powdered Sugar
- 1/2 cup Butter Salted Sweet Cream Butter
- 1/2-1 Tablespoon Milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of Peppermint Extract
- Green food coloring if desired
Drizzle
- 2 ounces chocolate
- 1 Tbs granulated sugar
Instructions
- Finely chop graham crackers and walnuts, then in a small bowl combine chopped graham crackers, coconut, and walnuts.
- I have this 1 1/2 cup food chopperthat I use for small jobs and it is perfect to use in this recipe.
- Grease a 9 inch square cake pan, and press graham cracker mixture into the bottom.
- Chill 15 minutes
- In a medium sized saucepan over medium high heat, combine 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup sugar, and 5 Tbs cocoa powder, and cook, stirring constantly until smooth and thick.
- While chocolate mixture is still hot, beat in 1/4 cup butter, 2 cups confectioner sugar, and 1 egg. (the hot chocolate mixture should be sufficient to make the egg safe to eat)
- Pour over the graham cracker mixture, and chill for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix peppermint buttercream frosting ingredients together in a medium sized bowl, using a hand mixer, and when completely mixed, spread over the graham cracker and chocolate mixture.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate squares, and stir sugar in, keep stirring until sugar melts, drizzle over top.
- We all know that brand Pyrex because it has been around forever. Pyrex Bowls are my go to for using in the microwave.
- Enjoy
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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