You may know Prayer Bars by another name: Nanaimo bars.

Nanaimo barsinclude almondsin the crust layer, but Prayer Bars typically use pecans or walnuts.

Nuts and shredded coconut give the dense, chocolaty base layer a pleasant chew and toastiness.

Southern Living Prayer Bars sliced on a plate to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Taken as a whole, the bar provides a dense, intensely rich bite.

What Are Prayer Bars?

Perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth, these rich bars might just become your new go-to, no-bake treat.

Southern Living Prayer Bars ingredients

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To prevent sticking, layer the bars with parchment or wax paper if needed.

it’s possible for you to also freeze them for up to three months for longer storage.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or allow them to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Southern Living Prayer Bars spraying the pan with baking spray

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For the best texture and flavor, serve the bars slightly chilled.

Line bottom and sides with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides.

Toast the nuts, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes.

Southern Living Prayer Bars toasting the nuts

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Transfer nuts to a bowl to cool.

Reduce to a simmer over medium-low.

Stir butter for 1 minute, allowing it to melt slightly.

Southern Living Prayer Bars adding water to the pan to make a double boiler

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Remove from heat and whisk in salt and vanilla.

Press evenly into prepared pan; cover and chill for 20 to 25 minutes.

Whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth.

Southern Living Prayer Bars melting the butter

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Spread pudding mixture over the Base Layer.

Cover and chill for 15 to 20 minutes.

Make the Chocolate Topping:

Combine butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.

Southern Living Prayer Bars adding the egg, cocoa, and powdered sugar to the butter

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Microwave on low, stirring at 20-second intervals, until melted.

Spread evenly over the Middle Layer.

Sprinkle with flakey sea salt, if desired.

Southern Living Prayer Bars stirring together the ingredients for the base layer

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Chill for 1 hour, or until set.

Cut into 18 squares.

Frequently Asked Questions

Feel free to prepare these bars a day or two in advance.

Southern Living Prayer Bars pressing the base layer into the pan

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Store well-wrapped in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

For a gluten-free version, swap the graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs.

Yeswith their custard filling, these bars should be left out for no more than two hours.

Southern Living Prayer Bars whisking together the middle layer ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Prayer Bars spreading the middle layer into the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Prayer Bars melting the chocolate and butter for the top layer

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Prayer Bars topped with salt and ready to slice

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox