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upclose look at the three layers of a no bake nanaiamo bar
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Classic Nanaimo Bars

Easy, no-bake Nanaimo bars!  This classic Canadian cookie bar has a chocolatey coconut base with a creamy custard icing filling and a soft ganache frosting. The triple layer treat is rich and decadent and simple to make.
Prep Time30 minutes
Chill Time1 hour
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Canadian
Servings: 24 bars

Ingredients

Cocoa Coconut Base

Custard Filling

  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature, 113g
  • 2 cups powdered sugar 240g
  • 3 tablespoons custard powder
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream 45mL

Chocolate Ganache Topping

Instructions

How To Make The Cocoa Coconut Base

  • Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, letting excess extend over the sides of pan. Spray with cooking spray.
  • Add the graham crackers, pecans and coconut to the bowl of a food processor and blitz until crumbs form. Set aside.
  • In the top of a double boiler, combine butter, cocoa, sugar, and salt. Whisk over simmering water, stirring constantly, until butter is melted. Add lightly beaten egg and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and smooth, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in graham cracker, pecan, coconut mixture. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Place in the refrigerator to chill while you make the filling.

How To Make The Custard Filling

  • Add unsalted butter, kosher salt, powdered sugar, custard powder, vanilla and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to the bowl of a stand mixer. Start on low to combine the ingredients, then increase to medium and mix until creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove the base from the refrigerator and evenly spread the filling over the chilled layer.
  • Place the pan back into the refrigerator for 30 minutes or into the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up while you make the next layer.

How To Make The Chocolate Ganache Topping

  • In the top of a double boiler, combine chocolate, butter and heavy cream. Melt over simmering water, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over the cold buttercream and quickly spread it in an even layer using an offset spatula.
  • Chill the bars for 20-30 minutes, then remove from the refrigerator and use a knife to cut through the chocolate layer into the desired size bars. Then return to the refrigerator to chill another 30-60 minutes. Cut the bars using the scored marks you made (this should keep the chocolate from cracking) and enjoy! Wipe the knife clean between cuts for the cleanest slices.

Notes

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze them in a freezer ziplock bag or airtight container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: -3g