Cake Batter Nanaimo Bars

Easy Cake Batter Nanaimo Bars recipe. The ultimate Canadian celebration dessert idea. No bake and made without custard powder.

Just when you think that you can’t make Nanaimo Bars any better, I come up with a cake flavored celebratory one.

I am already thinking of how I’m going to celebrate the end of the first full week of school this upcoming Friday. The past 3 weeks of school have been a lot, but they were all shortened weeks. Just easing me into the schedule of working all week, and having my weekends full of prepping, marking and baking. You can bet that these Cake Batter Nanaimo Bars will be part of my week-end celebration.

What are Nanaimo Bars?

Growing up in British Colombia, you can find Nanaimo Bars in almost every grocery store. Nanaimo Bars are a dessert named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia. 

This no-bake dessert consists of 3 layers: a coconut crumb base usually with finely ground nuts mixed in, a custard filling and a chocolate layer on top. Because custard powder is very hard to come by in the US, I made this recipe with instant pudding mix since that is the most accessible substitute around. But if you have access to custard powder, definitely use that!

Cake Batter Nanaimo Bars Ingredients

All you need to make these Nanaimo Bars is:

• sliced almonds
• unsalted butter
• white sugar
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• egg
• graham cracker crumbs
• unsweetened shredded coconut
• heavy cream
• instant vanilla pudding powder
• powdered sugar
• cake batter flavoring
• rainbow sprinkles
• chocolate chips
• coconut oil

Similar Recipes

Like these Cake Batter Nanaimo Bars? Then you’ll love these recipes:

• Nanaimo Bars
• Birthday Cake Fudge
• Birthday Nanaimo Bars

If you try this recipe, let me know! Rate it, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on Instagram! I always love seeing what you are creating!

Cake Batter Nanaimo Bars

Easy Cake Batter Nanaimo Bars recipe. The ultimate Canadian celebration dessert idea. No bake and made without custard powder.

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: No Bake, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Bottom Layer

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 5 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Middle Layer

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 Tbsp heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp instant vanilla pudding powder
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp cake batter flavouring
• 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles

Chocolate Layer

• 5 oz chocolate chips
• 2 tsp coconut oil
• additional sprinkles

Instructions

• In a food processor, pulse the almonds until they look like fine crumbs. Set aside.
• In a microwave safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup butter in the microwave. Mix in the granulated sugar and cocoa powder. Allow to cool slightly. Mix in the egg.
• Fold in the graham cracker crumbs and almonds until combined. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9 inch square pan.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and heavy cream until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla pudding powder, powdered sugar and cake batter flavouring until combined. Fold in the sprinkles. Spread this layer on top of the bottom layer and place in the fridge to cool.
• In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate layer ingredients in the microwave in 30 second intervals, mixing until smooth. Pour on top of the middle layer. Sprinkle top with additional sprinkles.
• Place in the freezer for 1-2 minutes. Remove and score on top where you want to cut into bars. Return to the freezer (or fridge) until hardened. Cut along the scores into bars and enjoy.

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