Classic Nanaimo Bars

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4.80 from 15 votes

These Nanaimo bars are a classic Canadian treat. Delicious, no-bake, super easy to make!

Course Dessert

Cuisine Canadian

Prep Time 30

Chilling Time 1 30

Total Time 2

Servings

Calories 300kcal

Author Olivia

Ingredients

Base:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 Tbsp Dutch-processed cocoa powder sifted
1 large egg lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup fine coconut unsweetened

Custard:

1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp custard powder
3 Tbsp milk room temperature

Chocolate:*

8 oz good quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate chopped
2 Tbsp unsalted butter

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Base:

Grease a 9 x 9" pan and line with parchment.
Place 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup sugar, and 3 Tbsp cocoa powder into a large, heatproof bowl over a pot with simmering water. Whisk until combined.
Slowly pour in egg while whisking vigorously. Add vanilla. Continue whisking over simmering water until mixture has thickened and resembles a pudding.
Remove mixture from heat and stir in graham cracker crumbs and coconut.
Spread mixture evenly into the bottom of your 9x9 pan. Press down firmly to pack in. Chill in fridge while making custard.

Custard:

Cream together butter and powdered sugar, add in custard powder and milk and beat until smooth.**
Spread evenly over base layer and return to fridge. Chill for 30mins.

Chocolate:

Place chopped chocolate and butter in to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir. Continue microwaving in 10 second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate has melted.
Spread evenly over custard layer. Chill in fridge until set (about 1 hour).
Cut with a hot serrated knife.

Notes

* The original recipe calls for half this amount of chocolate & butter. I doubled it as I prefer a thicker chocolate layer, but this will make them harder to cut.

** This can be done by hand but I used my stand mixer.

Nutrition

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