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    Home » Recipes » Brownies + Bars

    Nanaimo Bars

    Published: Sep 10, 2017 · Modified: Oct 21, 2018 by Melissa Stadler · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

    3019 shares
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    Nanaimo Bars are a famous Canadian dessert bar. A triple layer bar with a crust made with graham crackers, coconut, chocolate, and almonds, and a filling made with custard and cream, and covered in a chocolate ganache. www.modernhoney.com #nanaimobars #nanaimo #triplelayerbars #dessertbar

    Nanaimo Bars

    A decadent dessert bar made with a chocolate graham cracker coconut crust, a creamy sweet filling, topped with chocolate ganache. 

    Don't even ask me how to pronounce it. I just know a Nanaimo bar is one of my favorite dessert bars of all time. It is such a unique dessert bar with layers of flavors.

    Homemade No-Bake Nanaimo Bars. A decadent dessert bar made with a chocolate graham cracker coconut crust, a creamy sweet filling, topped with chocolate ganache. A popular Canadian dessert called a Nanaimo Bar. www.modernhoney.com #nanaimobar #nanaimobars #dessertbars #dessertbar

    What is a Nanaimo Bar?

    It is a popular Canadian no-bake dessert bar made with a chocolate coconut graham cracker crust with a creamy custard filling and topped with melted decadent chocolate.

    Homemade No-Bake Nanaimo Bars. A decadent dessert bar made with a chocolate graham cracker coconut crust, a creamy sweet filling, topped with chocolate ganache. A popular Canadian dessert called a Nanaimo Bar. www.modernhoney.com #nanaimobar #nanaimobars #dessertbars #dessertbar

    This is such a unique dessert bar and your friends and family will be begging for the recipe! I am going to share all of the tips and tricks for making this triple layer bar.

    No-Bake Nanaimo Bars. A popular Canadian dessert bar made with a chocolate coconut graham cracker crust, creamy custard filling, and decadent chocolate layer. A 5 star dessert bar. www.modernhoney.com

    Years ago, I went on a girls trip to a cabin in Pinetop, Arizona. It's the perfect getaway for busy mamas because it literally entails sweats, food, and lots of chat time with girlfriends.  We decided to venture out and actually get some food made by someone else. There is a popular restaurant in town known for down-home comfort food.

    As we were paying our bill at the counter, the lady asked if we wanted to try their famous nanaimo bars? I had no idea what language she was speaking but when she told me what was in them, I was SOLD.  We devoured the bar and went back the next day to get another one.

    Since that day in Pinetop, Arizona, it has been my quest to make the ultimate Nanaimo bar.

    No-Bake Nanaimo Bars. A popular Canadian dessert bar made with a chocolate coconut graham cracker crust, creamy custard filling, and decadent chocolate layer. A 5 star dessert bar. www.modernhoney.com

    How to make Nanaimo bars?

    The beauty of these triple layer dessert bars is that you don't even have to heat up your oven. This is a no-bake dessert bar that just needs chilling in order to set up.

    You start with melting butter over low heat and adding brown sugar, cocoa powder, an egg, and vanilla. Then you stir in graham cracker crumbs, sweetened coconut, and sliced almonds.

    The next layer is a creamy layer of custard cream.  It is made with butter, custard powder, heavy cream, and powdered sugar.  It is so decadent! The topping is a rich chocolate layer made with melted chocolate and butter for a glossy smooth layer.

    Homemade No-Bake Nanaimo Bars. A decadent dessert bar made with a chocolate graham cracker coconut crust, a creamy sweet filling, topped with chocolate ganache. A popular Canadian dessert called a Nanaimo Bar. www.modernhoney.com #nanaimobar #nanaimobars #dessertbars #dessertbar

    The custard cream uses a custard powder. I found Bird's custard powder at Cost Plus World Market but you can also find it here on Amazon.  For an authentic nanaimo bar, it calls for custard powder but you may substitute instant vanilla pudding.

    No-Bake Nanaimo Bars. A popular Canadian dessert bar made with a chocolate coconut graham cracker crust, creamy custard filling, and decadent chocolate layer. A 5 star dessert bar. www.modernhoney.com

    I love to hear from you! If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating. If you make any of my recipes, tag me on Instagram @modern_honey so I can see your creations. Also, be sure to tag your photo using the hashtag #modernhoney. It’s one of my favorite things seeing you make these recipes in your own kitchen. Thank you for following along! I truly do have the greatest readers.

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    Homemade No-Bake Nanaimo Bars. A decadent dessert bar made with a chocolate graham cracker coconut crust, a creamy sweet filling, topped with chocolate ganache. A popular Canadian dessert called a Nanaimo Bar. www.modernhoney.com #nanaimobar #nanaimobars #dessertbars #dessertbar

    No-Bake Nanaimo Bars. A popular Canadian dessert bar made with a chocolate coconut graham cracker crust, creamy custard filling, and decadent chocolate layer. A 5 star dessert bar. www.modernhoney.com

    Nanaimo Bars

    Melissa Stadler, Modern Honey
    A popular Canadian dessert made with a chocolate graham cracker coconut layer with a creamy custard filling topped with decadent chocolate.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24

    Equipment

    • 8 inch square cake pan
    • 9 inch square cake pan
    • mixing bowl set
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • spatula set

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup Butter
    • ⅓ cup Brown Sugar
    • ¼ cup Cocoa Powder
    • 1 Egg
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
    • 1 ¾ cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
    • 1 cup Sweetened Flaked Coconut
    • ½ cup Sliced Almonds

    Custard Layer:

    • ½ cup Butter softened
    • ⅓ cup Heavy Cream
    • 3 Tablespoons Custard Powder such as Birds. May substitute instant vanilla pudding
    • 2 cups Powdered Sugar

    Chocolate Layer:

    • 1 cup Semi-sweet Chocolate
    • 3 Tablespoons Butter

    Instructions
     

    • Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in brown sugar and cocoa powder and stir well for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
    • Add 1 egg and stir well.
    • Return mixture to stove and cook for 1-2 minutes until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
    • Stir in graham cracker crumbs, flaked coconut, and sliced almonds.
    • Press mixture into a greased 8 by 8-inch or 9 by 9-inch baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
    • In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, heavy cream, and custard powder until light and fluffy --about 3-4 minutes. Add powdered sugar and mix for 1 minute longer.
    • Spread custard filling over chilled graham cracker layer. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill or in the freezer for 15 minutes.
    • In a microwave-safe bowl, place butter in the microwave and cook for 30 seconds or until melted. Stir in semi-sweet chocolate chips and keep stirring until glossy and smooth. Spread chocolate into an even layer over custard layer.
    • Cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes until chocolate has set. Cut into squares. Best served chilled.
    • *Recipe adapted from Joy of Baking
    Keyword nanaimo bars
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    No-Bake Nanaimo Bars. A popular Canadian dessert bar made with a chocolate coconut graham cracker crust, creamy custard filling, and decadent chocolate layer. A 5 star dessert bar. www.modernhoney.com

    Let me know what you think of these nanaimo bars! Find me on instagram at modern_honey.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Candi M

      April 17, 2023 at 10:59 am

      5 stars
      Fabulous!!!

      Reply
    2. Lilly

      March 28, 2023 at 12:34 pm

      5 stars
      These were so fun and different they did not dissapoint!

      Reply
    3. Sharon

      November 09, 2019 at 12:29 pm

      These sound so good but I don't really care for the flavor of graham cracker crumbs. What would be a good substitute. I'm thinking crushed ginger snap cookies, but that might radically change the flavor.

      Reply
      • Pamela RulatheRed

        December 20, 2020 at 5:04 pm

        Hi Sharon,

        Being from Canada and growing up with these very addictive Naniamo Bars I have tried them with two different variations of crusts one being made of chocolate and the other a shortbread or vanilla style cookie. Either one is excellent but to get a slight contrast to the melted chocolate on top I would try the shortbread cookie as your base. However if you are a chocolate lover the chocolate cookie is outstanding.
        I would not recommend ginger snaps because of the contrast in flavors. This is a very rich decadent bar and a small portion goes a long way!
        Warmest regards,
        Pamela

        Reply
    4. Jamie Tarence

      September 10, 2017 at 6:34 pm

      This looks wonderful; I am making!!! Love your recipes:-)

      Reply

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