Nanaimo bar
A no-bake treat with a crumbly chocolate-coconut base, a pale custard buttercream middle and a shiny chocolate topping. It is sweet and rich, cut into small squares.
Nanaimo bar: Stephanie Spencer, CC BY 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)
Where it comes from
The bar is named for the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and it became popular across Canada from the mid-1900s. It is a favorite at festive cookie plates and bake sales.
Explore the cuisine of Canada.
Recipe
Make Nanaimo bar at home
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 5 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (for filling)
- 2 tbsp custard powder
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate
- 1 tbsp butter (for topping)
How it's made
- Melt 1/2 cup butter, sugar and cocoa in a double boiler. Whisk in the egg until thickened.
- Stir in the crumbs, coconut and walnuts and press firmly into a lined 8-inch pan. Chill 20 minutes.
- Beat the softened butter, custard powder, powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons cream until fluffy.
- Spread over the base and chill until firm.
- Melt the chocolate with 1 tablespoon butter, cool slightly and spread over the top.
- Chill, then cut into small squares with a hot knife.
Variations
- Mint Nanaimo: peppermint flavor in the filling.
- Peanut butter: add peanut butter to the base.
- Mocha: coffee in the filling.
Cook’s tip: Let the chocolate topping cool before spreading so it does not melt the custard layer.
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About this page
Description and method written by Intercontinental Chef. Home-style method; quantities are a starting point, so adjust to taste.
Photo credit
- Nanaimo bar: Stephanie Spencer, CC BY 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)