Favourite Nanaimo Bars

A Chocolate Dessert Bar from Western Canada

© Janice Fehlauer

Mar 24, 2009

The bars likely existed previously under other names, but local lore has it that the squares were first popularized after being submitted to a recipe contest by a local cook in Nanaimo, British Columbia, who named them after her home town.Nanaimo bars are available almost anywhere in western Canada – bakeries, coffee shops (both local and the Starbucks variety), even prepackaged in gas stations.They are so wildly popular in Canada that in 2006, readers of the National Post voted them “Canada’s Favourite Confection”.After trying this delicious recipe which is based on the one featured on the Nanaimo, British Columbia tourism site, you just may agree.Click here to learn more about the beautiful city of Nanaimo.

Nanaimo Bar Recipe

For the crust ,you will need:

• ½ cup butter
• ¼ cup sugar
• 5 tbsp. cocoa
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 ¼ cups graham wafer crumbs
• ½ cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut

1. Melt the butter, sugar and cocoa in a double boiler, or microwave on high in a microwave-proof bowl.
2. Add the beaten egg, and continue to heat until cooked and thickened, about one minute.
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
4. Stir in the wafer crumbs, nuts and coconut, and press into a greased 8x8 inch pan.

• ½ cup butter
• 2 tbsp. and 2 tsp. heavy cream
• 2 tbsp. vanilla custard powder (instant pudding mix)
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter until it is fluffy.
2. Add the cream, custard powder and confectioners’ sugar, and mix well.Spread evenly over the bottom layer.

• Four 1-oz. squares of semi-sweet baking chocolate
• 2 tbsp. butter

1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the chocolate and butter together over low heat until just smooth enough to stir.
2. Pour over the filling and spread evenly.Chill in the refrigerator until firm.

“Light” Nanaimo Bars

Here is an optional filling for you to try – a little less butter and cream, but still delicious.

You will need:

• ¼ cup butter
• 3 tbsp. milk
• 2 tbsp. vanilla custard powder (instant pudding mix)
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter until it is fluffy.
2. Add the milk, custard powder and confectioners’ sugar, and mix well.Spread evenly over the bottom layer.

Looking for some new flavours?Try these delicious variations and substitutions, or feel free to experiment with your own.

• -Use ½ cup of finely chopped almonds in the crust, rather than walnuts or pecans.
• -Substitute chocolate graham wafer crumbs for the plain variety in the crust.
• -Add ½ tsp. mint flavouring and 3 drops green food colouring to the filling.
• -Add ½ tsp. cherry flavouring and 3 drops red food colouring to the filling.
• -Add 2 tsp. of your favourite instant coffee to the filling.

Melted chocolate on top

Print Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds