Nanaimo Bars

About This Recipe

Nanaimo bars are a no-bake British Columbia icon — named after the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island where they first appeared. Their three distinct layers — a chocolatey-coconut base, a creamy vanilla custard middle, and a glossy dark chocolate top — are as visually striking as they are delicious. They became a national symbol when they were served at the 1986 World's Fair in Vancouver.

Ingredients

Serves 16

• 115 gbutter(melted)
• 50 gcocoa powder
• 50 gsugar
• 1egg
• 200 ggraham cracker crumbs
• 80 gdesiccated coconut
• 60 gwalnuts(chopped)
• 60 gbutter(softened, for filling)
• 200 gicing sugar
• 2 tbspcustard powder or vanilla pudding mix
• 3 tbspmilk
• 150 gdark chocolate(for topping)
• 30 gbutter(for topping)

Instructions

1. 1

   Base

   Mix melted butter, cocoa, sugar, and egg in a saucepan over low heat until egg is cooked. Stir in crumbs, coconut, and walnuts. Press into a lined 20 cm square tin. Chill 15 min.

2. 2

   Filling

   Beat softened butter, icing sugar, custard powder, and milk until smooth and fluffy. Spread over base. Chill 15 min.

3. 3

   Topping

   Melt chocolate and butter together. Spread over filling. Chill until set, at least 30 min.

4. 4

   Cut and serve

   Slice into 16 bars with a sharp knife (warm the knife for clean cuts).

Variations

• •

  Add peppermint extract to the filling for a mint version

• •

  Use peanut butter in place of some butter in the filling

• •

  Add a layer of raspberry jam

Storage

Refrigerate up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature 10 min before serving for the best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions