Description
Creamy Canadian Nanaimo bars emerge as a sweet sensation from British Columbia’s culinary landscape. Layers of chocolate, custard, and coconut graham cracker base create an irresistible no-bake dessert you’ll crave with every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter (melted)
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (33 grams) cocoa powder
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling Ingredients:
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons custard powder (or instant vanilla pudding mix)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
Instructions
- Craft the foundational layer by gently melting butter with cocoa and sugar in a saucepan, creating a silky base. Incorporate beaten egg, whisking continuously until the mixture develops a luxurious thickness.
- Fold in vanilla, graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and chopped nuts to create a rich, textured mixture. Press this decadent blend firmly into a parchment-lined baking dish, establishing a robust bottom layer.
- Whip butter with powdered sugar and custard powder until achieving a cloud-like consistency. Gradually introduce cream to create a smooth, velvety filling that will rest atop the first layer.
- Carefully spread the custard mixture across the chilled base, ensuring an even, elegant coating. Return to refrigerator to allow the layer to set and firm.
- Melt chocolate chips with butter, creating a glossy, smooth topping. Gently cascade the molten chocolate over the custard layer, tilting the dish to distribute evenly.
- Chill the entire dessert until the chocolate solidifies completely, allowing the distinct layers to unite into a harmonious treat.
- When ready to serve, lift the dessert from the pan using parchment edges. Allow to rest momentarily at room temperature, then slice into precise, tempting squares.
Notes
- Swap nuts with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin for nut-free versions, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful treat.
- Use gluten-free graham crackers or alternatives like almond flour cookies to create a celiac-friendly base that maintains the classic crumbly texture.
- Experiment with dairy-free butter substitutes and coconut cream to transform this dessert into a vegan-friendly option without compromising rich, decadent flavors.
- Chill ingredients and work surfaces beforehand to help layers set quickly and prevent potential melting, especially in warm kitchen environments.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Canadian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg