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nanaimo bars

(1 rating)
froggeh avatar
Recipe by
Nicole P.
@froggeh
Hull, QC

The Nanaimo bar is a dessert item of Canadian origin popular across North America. It is a bar dessert which requires no baking and is named after the west coast city of Nanaimo, British Columbia. It consists of a crumb-based layer topped by a layer of light vanilla or custard flavored butter icing which is covered with melted chocolate made from chocolate squares. Many varieties exist, consisting of different types of crumb with different flavors of icing such as mint, peanut butter and different types of chocolate. Two popular variations on the traditional bar involve mint- or mocha

(1 rating)
yield serving(s)
method Bake

Ingredients For nanaimo bars

  • CRUST PART
  • 1/2 c
    butter, softened
  • 5 Tbsp
    cocoa, unsweetened
  • 1/2 c
    sugar
  • 1 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • 1
    egg, slightly beaten
  • 1 3/4 c
    graham cracker crushed
  • 1/3 c
    walnuts, chopped
  • 3/4 c
    sweetened coconut flakes
  • MIDDLE PART
  • 1/2 c
    butter, softened
  • 2 Tbsp
    vanilla custard powder
  • 3 Tbsp
    heavy cream
  • 2 c
    powdered sugar
  • TOP LAYER
  • 4 oz
    semi sweet chocolate squares
  • 3 Tbsp
    butter
  • 2 Tbsp
    heavy cream

How To Make nanaimo bars

  • 1
    For the Crust: Line an 8"x8" square pan with parchment paper (or buttered pan), set aside. Prepare a double boiler by bringing about two inches of water to a boil in a medium size pot. Combine the butter, cocoa powder, sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla in a metal or glass heat proof bowl. Place the bowl on top of the pot of boiling water, make sure the water does not touch the bowl, then whisk the chocolate mixture until smooth and melted. Add the egg, and whisk until combined. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the chocolate mixture thickens to the texture of hot fudge sauce. Remove from heat and add the graham cracker crumbs, coconut flakes, and chopped walnuts. Stir till combined, then press evenly into the prepared 8x8 pan. Chill in fridge while you prepare the middle layer.
  • 2
    For the Middle Layer: Add butter, heavy cream, and custard powder to the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment and beat until light and fluffy. (it will curdle at first, and be a bright yellow, just keep mixing until it gets fluffy and lighter in color. Add the powdered sugar (one cup at a time), beating in between, until light and fluffy. Spread on top of the crust layer. Place in fridge to chill while you prepare the top layer.
  • 3
    For the top layer: Prepare the double boiler again, and place the chocolate squares, butter and heavy cream in a heat proof bowl (I just washed out the bowl I used for the crust layer and used that one again). Whisk until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool on counter for 10-15 minutes. Pour on top of the bars, and smooth out. Chill in fridge for at least 15-20 minutes to let the chocolate set. Remove bars from pan and cut into small squares. Store in fridge.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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