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Nanaimo Bars | cookinginmygenes.com

Classic Nanaimo Bars Recipe (no bake holiday treat)

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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Canadian
Keyword: nanaimo bars
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Resting time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 20 - 25 bars
Author: Jess
A Canadian classic, these Nanaimo Bars are the perfect holiday treat filled with custard sandwiched between a chocolate crust and topping.
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Ingredients

For the base layer

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened/room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups graham crumbs
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

For the custard layer

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened/room temperature
  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 3 1/2 tbsp custard powder
  • 2 tbsp milk (room temperature)

For the top chocolate layer

  • 6 oz semisweet baker’s chocolate or 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tsp butter

Instructions

Make the base layer

  • Grease and then line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a saucepan, melt butter, sugar & cocoa powder, stirring until combined. Set aside.  
  • Next in a bowl, combine graham crumbs, coconut and walnut – stir with a fork to combine.  Pour melted butter/sugar/cocoa mixture onto dry mixture and mix until fully combined.  Lastly, beat an egg with the vanilla, then add to the rest of the base. Mix until combined fully and spread/press into the bottom of your pan. Set aside in the fridge while you make the custard layer.

Make the custard layer

  • Cream the butter in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment at medium-high about 1 minute (if you do not have a mixer, whisk vigorously until creamy, a couple of minutes).  Add icing sugar, half-cup at a time, mixing until combined after each addition.  Next, add the custard powder until combined. Then, add the milk to reach a smooth consistency. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the mixing bowl a few times to ensure everything is being incorporated.  Spread the custard evenly on the base and place in the fridge for 20 minutes.

Make the top chocolate layer

  • Melt chocolate with butter in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted set aside & immediately take your base/middle out of the fridge.  Pour the melted chocolate over the custard & spread evenly immediately.  Place in fridge for at least 30 minutes to let fully set.  Then, take it out for about 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
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