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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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

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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

  

1x2x3x

• 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

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