DessertCanadian

Nanaimo Bars

Name: Nanaimo Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Canadian
Ingredients: 125g Custard; 50g Caster Sugar; 5 tbs Cocoa; 1 beaten Egg; 200g shredded Digestive Biscuits; 100g Desiccated Coconut; 50g Almonds; 100g Butter; 4 tbs Double Cream; 3 tbs Custard Powder; 250g Icing Sugar; 150g Dark Chocolate; 50g Butter

Nanaimo Bars is a classic Canadian dessert that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully baked or prepared featuring Custard, Caster Sugar, Cocoa, Egg, Digestive Biscuits, Desiccated Coconut, Almonds, Butter, Double Cream, Custard Powder, Icing Sugar, Dark Chocolate and Butter, the components balance delicate sweetness and satisfying texture.

Enjoy warm or chilled alongside fresh vanilla custard, whipped cream, or a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea for a comforting finish to your meal.

If you enjoy authentic Canadian cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Beavertails.

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Ingredients

Custard125g
Caster Sugar50g
Cocoa5 tbs
Egg1 beaten
Digestive Biscuits200g shredded
Desiccated Coconut100g
Almonds50g
Butter100g
Double Cream4 tbs
Custard Powder3 tbs
Icing Sugar250g
Dark Chocolate150g
Butter50g

Step-by-Step Instructions

10 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1

Start by making the biscuit base.

Step 2

In a bowl, over a pan of simmering water, melt the butter with the sugar and cocoa powder, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Step 3🥄 Mix⏱️ 3 mins

Whisk in the egg for 2 to 3 mins until the mixture has thickened.

Step 4🥄 Mix

Remove from heat and mix in the biscuit crumbs, coconut and almonds if using, then press into the base of a lined 20cm square tin.

Step 5⏱️ 10 mins

Chill for 10 mins.

Step 6🥄 Mix

For the middle layer, make the custard icing; whisk together the butter, cream and custard powder until light and fluffy, then gradually add the icing sugar until fully incorporated.

Step 7⏱️ 10 mins

Spread over the bottom layer and chill in the fridge for at least 10 mins until the custard is no longer soft.

Step 8

Melt the chocolate and butter together in the microwave, then spread over the chilled bars and put back in the fridge.

Step 9⏱️ 2 hrs

Leave until the chocolate has fully set (about 2 hrs).

Step 10🔪 Prep

Take the mixture out of the tin and slice into squares to serve.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Nanaimo Bars carries a rich culinary tradition rooted in regional home cooking. Developed over generations, the recipe highlights wholesome local ingredients prepared with time-honored kitchen techniques.

Dietary Substitutions

If you need to accommodate dietary restrictions, custard can be substituted with an equivalent volume of seasonal vegetables, legumes, or a protein alternative of your preference.

Chef Technique Tips

Season in stages rather than all at once at the end. Salting components as they cook draws out excess moisture, intensifies natural sugars, and builds harmonious depth of flavor throughout the dish.

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