Mom's Nanaimo Bars Recipe
User Reviews
4.7
Mom's Nanaimo Bars Recipe
Description
This recipe begins with a bottom layer made from melted butter, cocoa powder, sugar, egg, graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and chopped walnuts, pressed into a pan to form a firm base. The middle layer is a custard-flavored cream made from powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, and vanilla custard powder, whipped smooth and layered over the crust before chilling to set.
The top layer combines melted dark chocolate and butter, poured over the chilled custard and smoothed to create a glossy finish. Chilling the assembled bars ensures firm slices that hold their shape. The combination of coconut and walnuts adds texture to the crunchy base, while the custard layer is creamy and sweet, balanced by the bittersweet chocolate topping.
These bars are well suited for dessert or special occasions and can be sliced into squares. The use of parchment paper in the pan aids with easy removal. The layering and chilling steps require some patience, but yield a multi-textured indulgence that stands out.
Ingredients
Bottom Layer
- ½ cup butter
- 5 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs gluten-free if needed
- ¾ cup coconut fine
- ¼ cup walnuts chopped
Middle Layer
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup vanilla custard powder Bird's brand
Top Layer
- 8 ounces dark chocolate shaved or chocolate chips
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
Bottom layer
- Lay a piece of parchment paper in a 9x11-inch pan, letting some hang over the sides. (This makes it easier to remove the Nanaimo bars.)
- Melt the butter in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar. Remove the pot from the heat then add the egg and whisk until it has thickened, about 30 seconds. Stir in the Graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and walnuts. Press the crust firmly into the prepared pan.
Middle layer
- Add all the middle layer ingredients to a large bowl and cream them together using electric beaters. Pour the custard over the first layer and smooth the top.
- Place the pan into your fridge for at least 20 minutes, or until the custard is firm.
Top layer
- Add the chocolate and butter to a medium-sized pan over low heat and let both melt. Whisk to combine and then pour the chocolate over the custard. Smooth the top first with a spatula then by gently tapping the pan on your counter.
- Chill in your fridge for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate is soft-set. Cut the Nanaimo bars into bars then place them back in your fridge until they are completely set. (Cutting the bars first prevents the chocolate from cracking.)
- Store the bars in a covered container in your fridge for a week or up to three months in your freezer. The bars can be eaten cold or at room temperature - they take about 10 minutes to warm once out of the fridge.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 40bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 150 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 bar | |
| Calories | 150kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 24mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 91mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 33mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 219IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 10mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
You'll Also Love
