Easy Nanaimo Bars recipe. This no bake dessert is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Eat it as a snack with some coffee.
Another no bake treat for your pleasure this summer.
It seems like I have made all sorts of Nanaimo bar recipes, but I have yet to make regular plain Nanaimo Bars. Well, this changes now.
Here it is. The classic. This is the recipe that John requests the most. And I happily oblige, because it might be one of the favourite things that I make.
The first time I made these no bake Nanaimo Bars, I forgot to use a sharp knife to score the chocolate topping. Well, I bet you could imagine what the end result looked like. The top layer was completely cracked, and even though they tasted good, they weren’t photo ready. The best part about that mistake was that I could make it again. And this one turned out perfectly.
Nanaimo Bars Ingredients
I usually have most of these ingredients at home. All you need is:
- sliced almonds
- unsalted and salted butter
- sugar
- cocoa powder
- egg
- graham cracker crumbs (around 14 graham crackers)
- shredded coconut
- heavy cream
- instant vanilla pudding mix
- icing sugar
- coconut oil
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
It looks like a long list, but this recipe is so easy to make that it is worth it!
What are Nanaimo Bars?
Nanaimo Bars are no-bake bars named after the city of Nanaimo, a Canadian city on Vancouver island in British Columbia. Nanaimo bars are basically a layered bar cookie made up of three layers. The bottom layer consists of a chocolate coconut base with graham crumbs, the creamy middle layer consists of a custard filling and the final layer is the chocolate layer.
These bars are made with a vanilla pudding filling instead of a vanilla custard layer, just because it is difficult to get Bird’s custard powder in the United States, and it is a good substitute. But if you have access to birds custard powder, I would highly suggest replacing the vanilla pudding with that. That would make these bars a lot more authentic, and more like the classic Nanaimo Bars that you can get in Canada.
Most Canadian coffee shops and grocery stores sell these bars around Christmastime, but because they are such a classic Canadian treat, I also love making these around Canada Day.
More No Bake Recipe Ideas
Like these homemade Nanaimo Bars? Then you will love these delicious treats:
- No Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Oat Fudge Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Cups
- Rum Truffles
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!
Nanaimo Bars
Ingredients
Bottom Layer
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 5 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Middle Layer
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 Tbsp heavy cream
- 2 Tbsp instant vanilla pudding powder
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate Layer
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the almonds until they look like fine crumbs. Set aside.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the salted 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, shredded coconut 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 and powdered sugar until combined. 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.
- 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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I’ve always wanted to taste nanaimo bars, but no one here makes them. I used your recipe last night and we are HUGE fans. Thank you for this amazing recipe.
That makes me so happy to hear 🙂
I have been wanting to try these bars for quite some time now. The ingredient list looked so good so I finally made them and regret waiting so long. Delicious!
That makes me so happy to hear! 🙂
We live in Canada but have not made homemade Nanaimo bars, yet. Thanks for the recipe! It looks simple to make and so delicious!
I hope you give it a go 🙂
I’ve never had these before (or heard of them, lol), but I love any dessert with custard filling, so I am excited to try them! Thanks for the recipe, love these unique treats 😉
You’re welcome! Let me know how they go 😉
Any type of dessert that contains custard is for me! These are incredible!!
That makes me so happy to hear!
My kids requested me to make these bars upon seeing your recipe.
We made it yesterday and they love it so much!
Yay! I am so glad that they were a hit with your kids!
I love no bake desserts like these. I have never make these bars before, but they sound delicious! Thanks for the recipe share!
You’re welcome 🙂
I fell in love with nanaimo bars when I moved to Canada and these were so good! I like that they’re made with pudding, it makes it so much easier!
It’s one of my favourite Canadian desserts 🙂
Such an easy recipe to make that honestly is full of so much flavor! It’s decadent rich and amazing! Y’all you need these in your life!!! This would be amazing for the 4th of July coming up!
So good and so festive 🙂
I am obsessed! My husband and I ate half the pan the first night. SO, so tasty! Thanks so much!
That usually happens in my house too 😉 So glad you liked it!
This looks amazing! I never heard of Nanaimo bars, but by just looking at the ingredients, and the fact that it only takes 20 minutes to make, I am totally in!
I am going to make these tomorrow and surprise my daughter with them. Thanks for this recipe!
Yay! I hope you and your daughter love them as much as we do 🙂
These Nanaimo bars are a piece of heaven. I had never tried it before and was amazed at how quickly the bars came together. This is becoming a go-to dessert in my home,
Yay that makes me so happy to hear 🙂