Nanaimo Bars
Nanaimo Bars are a decadent no-bake dessert featuring three indulgent layers: a chocolatey graham cracker base, a creamy custard middle, and a luscious chocolate topping. Perfect for cozy nights or summer picnics, these bars evoke nostalgia and are sure to impress at gatherings. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can whip up this crowd-pleaser effortlessly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Makes approximately 16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
- 2 tbsp custard powder
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup milk or cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
- In a bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and graham cracker crumbs. Stir in the nuts if using. Press into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10 minutes.
- For the custard layer, whisk together custard powder, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the cooled base.
- Melt chocolate chips with milk over low heat until smooth. Pour over custard layer and spread evenly.
- Refrigerate for at least two hours before slicing into squares.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (45g)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Feel free to swap walnuts for pecans or omit nuts entirely for a nut-free version. Experiment with different types of chocolate for added flavor.