Nanaimo Bars (2024)

These Nanaimo bars feature three decadent layers of rich, chocolaty, nutty goodness.

What Is a Nanaimo Bar?

The Nanaimo bar is a no-bake dessert named after Nanaimo, a Canadian city in British Columbia. It consists of three layers: a coconut crumb base, a custard filling, and a chocolate ganache topping.

How to Make Nanaimo Bars

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade Nanaimo bars:

  1. Make the bottom layer: Melt a stick of butter, cocoa powder, and sugar in a double boiler. Beat in the egg. Remove from the heat and mix in the crumbs, coconut, and nuts. Press the mixture into the pan.
  2. Make the middle layer: Beat a stick of butter, cream, and custard powder. Mix in the confectioners' sugar and spread the mixture over the bottom layer. Chill to set.
  3. Make the top layer and cut: Melt the chocolate and butter together and spread over the chilled bars. Let the chocolate set, then cut into squares.

Recipe Tip

You can use instant vanilla pudding powder instead of custard powder.

How to Store Nanaimo Bars

Store the Nanaimo bars in the refrigerator for up to four days. Since they are served chilled, these bars make a great make-ahead dessert.

Can You Freeze Nanaimo Bars?

Yes! Nanaimo bars freeze quite well. Wrap them individually in storage wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"These were delicious," raves Rhonda. "Here's a tip for beginners: Don't add the egg to the saucepan...if it's too warm the egg will CURDLE. My mom told me to slowly beat about half of the chocolate mixture into the egg, a little at a time, so that it won't curdle from the heat."

"This was surprisingly easy to make," says nikki. "I followed the recipe using some suggestions found in the comments. One thing I tried differently was to replace the graham crackers with more nuts. I love the extra crunch it gives!"

"These are simply outstanding," according to Jamie Anderson. "Seriously, it's my new favorite dessert. Great recipe and I will definitely make these again. I didn't have custard powder so I substituted it with instant vanilla pudding mix and it went well."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Nanaimo Bars (2024)

FAQs

What are Nanaimo bars called in the USA? ›

Other names for Nanaimo Bars include but are not limited to New York Slice, New York Special, Mississauga Bars, Edmonton Esks, Georgia Street Slices, Georgia Strait Smog Squares, London Fog Bars and London Smog Bars — coincidentally the London Fog (a hot drink consisting of steamed milk, vanilla syrup and Earl Grey Tea ...

What does a Nanaimo bar taste like? ›

What do Nanaimo Bars Taste Like? Nanaimo bars are a delicious combination of chocolate, vanilla, and coconut. The key ingredient is custard powder which has a vanilla flavor. You really can't make these without it.

Why are Nanaimo bars famous? ›

In 1985, Mayor Graeme Roberts initiated a contest to find the ultimate Nanaimo bar recipe. The recipe submitted by Joyce Hardcastle, a resident of Nanaimo, was unanimously selected by a panel of judges. The Nanaimo bar was popularized nationwide after being highlighted as a classic Canadian dessert at Expo 86.

Do Nanaimo bars contain egg? ›

The base layer is made by melting one stick of butter, adding sugar and cocoa powder to it, then adding one egg. The Saveur recipe does not call for the mixture to be cooked after adding the egg, but I preferred not to have bars with a raw egg crust and adapted the recipe and cooked the mixture.

What is the old name for Nanaimo? ›

Letters for the settlement, previous to 1859, were usually addressed "Colville Town, Nanaimo, V. I." After that date the first name was gradually discontinued and has not been used since 1860.

What is the most delicious chocolate bar in the world? ›

Collection: All Chocolate Bars
  • NEW. ...
  • LetterPress Bachelor's Hall Jamaica 85% ...
  • Bonnat Dos Cielos Colombia Milk 65% (Best By: 05/31/2024) ...
  • Zotter Lime & Passion Fruit 70% (Filled) ...
  • Qantu Black Walnut 70% (Limited Edition) ...
  • Fruition Vanilla Bean Toasted White 38% ...
  • Zotter Peanut (Butter) Crunch 66% (Filled) ...
  • Fruition 100% Percent.

Are Nanaimo bars a Canadian thing? ›

The Nanaimo bar. It's a sweet treat made from chocolate, custard, coconut and walnuts. Love it or hate it, it's uniquely British Columbian.

How long do Nanaimo Bars last in the fridge? ›

Seeing them in my fridge when I'm craving something sweet has been a miracle, honestly. In the Refrigerator: Nanaimo bars will keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Serve straight from the fridge. In the Freezer: You can also keep your Nanaimo bars in the freezer for 2-3 months in an airtight container.

What does the word Nanaimo mean? ›

Nanaimo is the corruption of the name they gave the area, meaning "gathering place." During 1792 the Spanish explorer Alejandro Malaspina dispatched the gallettes SUTIL AND MEXICANA, under the command of Alcalá-Galiano and Cayetano Valdés, to explore the Strait of Georgia.

Do people like Nanaimo Bars? ›

In 2006, the Nanaimo bar was declared Canada's favorite confection by a reader's poll in the National Post. The Nanaimo bar is a no-bake dessert bar that traditionally consists of three layers: a graham wafer crumb and shredded coconut base, custard-flavoured butter i...

Is custard powder the same as pudding mix? ›

While most custard and pudding recipes both typically call for eggs, the main difference is that pudding uses a starch for thickening, whereas custard's thickening agent is the egg itself (or egg yolk, in most instances). Custard's texture also tends to be firmer than pudding.

How many calories are in a Nanaimo bar? ›

Nanaimo bars (1 square - 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" x 1") contains 40.8g total carbs, 39.1g net carbs, 18.4g fat, 2.5g protein, and 323 calories.

What is in a kinder bar? ›

Ingredients. Fine MILK chocolate 40% (sugar, MILK powder, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, emulsifier: lecithins (SOYA), vanillin), sugar, skimmed MILK powder, palm oil, concentrated BUTTER, emulsifier: lecithins (SOYA), vanillin.

Are Nanaimo Bars a Canadian thing? ›

The Nanaimo bar. It's a sweet treat made from chocolate, custard, coconut and walnuts. Love it or hate it, it's uniquely British Columbian.

What is the traditional name for Nanaimo? ›

History. The Indigenous peoples of the area that is now known as Nanaimo are the Snuneymuxw. An anglicised spelling and pronunciation of that word gave the city its current name.

What are bars called in America? ›

The term “pub” can be used to refer to any establishment that serves alcoholic beverages. The word is also used to refer to themed drinking . In American English, a place where you can buy and drink alcoholic drinks is usually called a bar.

What is a substitute for custard powder? ›

If a recipe lists custard powder and you don't have any, you can make some simple swaps to achieve the same effect. For each tablespoon of custard powder that's called for in your recipe, you can make your own custard mix with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch plus 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of fine salt.

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