Traditional Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo bars are a Canadian classic. Named after Nanaimo, British Columbia, this no bake bar is sweet and delicious. Layers of graham cracker crust, creamy custard filling, and chocolate topping make for a delightful treat.

There are similar dessert bars made in different places around the world and even within Canada, there are variations on the traditional Nanaimo bar. Try changing the nuts used, mix some peanut butter into the custard filling, or add some peppermint extract to the chocolate layer.

Traditional Nanaimo Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup sweetened flaked or shredded coconut

1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 egg, lightly beaten

FILLING:

1/4 cup butter

2 tbsp custard powder

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups icing sugar

2 tbsp milk (approx)

TOPPING:

4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the graham cracker crumbs with the coconut, walnuts, cocoa powder, and sugar. Add in the butter and egg and stir to combine.

Press this mixture into a 9-inch square baking pan that you have lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 10 minutes. You want this crust to be firm. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool

FILLING

Place the butter, custard powder, and vanilla in a mixing bowl and beat. Continue beating while adding in the icing sugar, alternating with milk. You should have a smooth mixture. If needed, you can add more milk if needed (up to 1 tsp).

Spread the filling over the cooled crust. Place in the refrigerator to firm up. This will take about an hour.

TOPPING

In a double boiler, or using a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of hot water, melt the chocolate with the butter. Important: the water needs to be hot but it should not be boiling.

Once melted, spread it over the chilled filling. Place back in the refrigerator for about half an hour. You want the topping to be nearly set.

Using the tip of a knife (don’t cut right into it), score into bars. Once more, place back into the fridge until fully set – about an hour.

You can keep these in the refrigerator for about 4 days or in the freezer for about 2 weeks.

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Traditional Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo bars are a Canadian classic. Named after Nanaimo, British Columbia, this no bake bar is sweet and delicious. Layers of graham cracker crust, creamy custard filling, and chocolate topping make for a delightful treat.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Chilling Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 55 minutes

Servings 18

Calories 216 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup sweetened flaked or shredded coconut
• 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter melted
• 1 egg lightly beaten

FILLING:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tbsp custard powder
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups icing sugar
• 2 tbsp milk approx

TOPPING:

• 4 oz semisweet chocolate chopped
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs with the coconut, walnuts, cocoa powder, and sugar. Add in the butter and egg and stir to combine.
3. Press this mixture into a 9-inch square baking pan that you have lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 10 minutes. You want this crust to be firm. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool

FILLING

1. Place the butter, custard powder, and vanilla in a mixing bowl and beat. Continue beating while adding in the icing sugar, alternating with milk. You should have a smooth mixture. If needed, you can add more milk if needed (up to 1 tsp).
2. Spread the filling over the cooled crust. Place in the refrigerator to firm up. This will take about an hour.

TOPPING

1. In a double boiler, or using a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of hot water, melt the chocolate with the butter. Important: the water needs to be hot but it should not be boiling.
2. Once melted, spread it over the chilled filling. Place back in the refrigerator for about half an hour. You want the topping to be nearly set.
3. Using the tip of a knife (don’t cut right into it), score into bars. Once more, place back into the fridge until fully set – about an hour.
4. You can keep these in the refrigerator for about 4 days or in the freezer for about 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Traditional Nanaimo Bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 216 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Trans Fat 0.3g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 31mg10%

Sodium 100mg4%

Potassium 97mg3%

Carbohydrates 27g9%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 20g22%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 226IU5%

Vitamin C 0.04mg0%

Calcium 21mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.