Vancouver Bars Recipe

Name: Vancouver Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
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; 8-inch (2 L) square metal baking pan, bottom and sides greased, then bottom lined with parchment paper

Servings: persons

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
8-inch (2 L) square metal baking pan, bottom and sides greased, then bottom lined with parchment paper

1
Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
2
Crust: In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse flour, almond meal, sugar and salt until combined.
3
Add butter and almond extract, pulsing until dough just comes together.
4
Press dough into prepared pan, smoothing top.
5
Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown and firm to the touch.
6
Place pan on a rack and let cool completely.
7
Filling: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine unsweetened chocolate and cream.
8
Microwave, uncovered, on Medium (50%) for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds, or until smooth.
9
In a small bowl, whisk together instant coffee and 2 tsp (10 mL) hot water.
10
Whisk in liqueur.
11
Add to chocolate mixture, whisking well.
12
Whisk in confectioners sugar, butter and custard powder until smooth.
13
Spread chocolate mixture evenly over cooled crust.
14
Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
15
Topping: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate and butter.
16
Microwave, uncovered, on Medium (50%) for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds, or until chocolate is soft and almost melted.
17
Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth.
18
Spread over filling in pan.
19
Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.
20
Invert onto a cutting board to remove from pan and peel off parchment paper.
21
Cut into bars.

1364

kcal

Calories

Fat

176

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 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, and more.

Yes, Vancouver Bars falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Vancouver Bars

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions