Nanaimo Bars
Three layers: a chocolate-coconut crumb base, a pale custard buttercream and a snap of dark chocolate. Two hours of chilling between them.
Method
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Line a 20 cm square tin with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
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Melt the butter, sugar and cocoa in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring, until smooth.
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Whisk in the egg and cook 3 minutes, stirring, until it thickens like custard, then take off the heat.
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Stir in the crumbs, coconut and walnuts until combined and press firmly and evenly into the tin. Chill 30 minutes.
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Beat the softened butter with the cream, custard powder, icing sugar and vanilla for 3 minutes until fluffy. Spread over the base and chill 30 minutes.
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Melt the chocolate and butter together until smooth and leave to cool for 5 minutes so it is fluid but not hot.
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Pour over the custard layer, tilt to spread evenly and chill 1 hour until set.
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Lift out with the paper and cut into 16 bars with a hot, dry knife, wiping the blade between cuts.
Chef’s Tips
- Chill each layer until firm before adding the next, or they smear.
- Let the chocolate cool for a few minutes so it does not melt the custard layer.
- Cut with a knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry so the chocolate does not crack.
Common Substitutions & Variations
- Double cream won't whip if you swap it, but for the cooking itself, full-fat crème fraîche or a lower-fat single cream works in its place.
Pairing Suggestions
- A cup of tea
- Black coffee
- A glass of cold milk
Storage & Reheating
Keep in the refrigerator up to 1 week in an airtight container, or freeze for 3 months. Serve slightly cool.
Common questions
How long does Nanaimo Bars take to make?
About 45 minutes of hands-on work — 35 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking — plus 2 hours of chilling between the layers, so allow 2 hours 45 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 16.
What are the key tips for making Nanaimo Bars?
Chill each layer until firm before adding the next, or they smear. Let the chocolate cool for a few minutes so it does not melt the custard layer. Cut with a knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry so the chocolate does not crack.
What should I serve with Nanaimo Bars?
A cup of tea; Black coffee; A glass of cold milk.
Can Nanaimo Bars be made ahead or frozen?
Keep in the refrigerator up to 1 week in an airtight container, or freeze for 3 months. Serve slightly cool.
Is Nanaimo Bars suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Nanaimo Bars?
About 356 kcal per serving, with 2 g protein, 33 g carbohydrate and 24 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.