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    Home » Recipes » Canadian Recipes

    Canadian Nanaimo Bars

    Published on October 16, 2017 - Updated on March 9, 2022 by Chef Rodney - 1 Comment - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    These decadent Canadian Nanaimo Bars are one of the most delicious treats you will ever have. One of my most requested desserts.
    Canadian Nanaimo Bars

    Growing up, The Canadian Nanaimo Bars were one of my favorite sweets. Sweet custard sandwiched between chocolate. How can you go wrong?

    Canadian Nanaimo Bars

    These Nanaimo bars are probably one of my most requested desserts. I love making them for others. They are pretty easy to make but do require some time in the fridge to settle.

    birds custard powder
    Bird's Custard Powder

    I have shared this recipe with many and it would appear that custard powder is not that easy to locate. While I don't have any problems finding it locally here in Southern California, you can easily find the same brand I use on Custard Powder on Amazon

    nanaimo bars

    What are Nanaimo Bars

    As far as we can tell, Nanaimo Bar's can be traced back to the Vancouver Island city of Nanaimo, British Columbia, first published around 1953. Traditional Nanaimo Bars require no baking and are super easy to make.

    For coconut lovers, you can add a bit of shredded coconut to the base mixture for something a little different. And if you really love custard, you can double the ingredients for the filling.

    nanaimo bars

    While you are here I suggest you check out all my other delicious Canadian Recipes. Some of the recipes are new while others are well over 50 years old but they all originated in Canada.

    nanaimo bars

    For more great recipes like this one, I suggest you check these recipes out:

    • Magic Custard Bars
    • French Canadian Sugar Pie
    • Traditional Canadian Bannock Bread
    • Heath Bit Bars
    • French Canadian Tourtière
    • Lemon Cranberry Bars

    📋 What Ingredients do I need

    You will need the following ingredients to make this Canadian Nanaimo Bars recipe (see recipe card for quantities): Unsalted Butter, White Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Vanilla Extract, Eggs, Graham Cracker Crumbs, Milk, Custard Powder, Powdered Sugar and Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips.

    🥣 How to Make Canadian Nanaimo Bars

    In a saucepan, combine the first 5 ingredients and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until smooth and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
    Add graham cracker crumbs to the mixture and mix well. The batter should be thick at this point. Pack the mixture into a 9-inch square pan.
    Combine ¼ cup butter, milk, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and custard powder. Beat for 5 minutes. Blend in powdered sugar. Spread custard filling over the base and chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
    In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon butter stirring frequently. Spread the chocolate mixture over the custard filling.
    Let the dish cool completely in the refrigerator before cutting into squares and serving.

    Canadian Nanaimo Bars

    Canadian Nanaimo Bars

    These decadent Canadian Nanaimo Bars are one of the most delicious treats you will ever have. One of my most requested desserts.
    4.43 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 40 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Canadian
    Servings 16
    Calories 297 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    BASE INGREDIENTS

    • ½ Cup Unsalted Butter, Melted
    • ⅓ Cup White Sugar
    • 5 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 1 Egg, Beaten
    • 2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs

    FILLING INGREDIENTS

    • ¼ Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
    • 3 tablespoon Milk
    • 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 2 tablespoon Custard Powder
    • 2 ½ Cups Powdered Sugar

    TOPPING INGREDIENTS

    • 6 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
    • 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
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    Instructions
     

    • In a sauce pan, combine first 5 ingredients and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until smooth and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
    • Add graham cracker crumbs to the mixture and mix well. The batter should be thick at this point. Pack the mixture into a 9 inch square pan.
    • Combine ¼ cup butter, milk, 2 teaspoon vanilla and custard powder. Beat for 5 minutes. Blend in powdered sugar. Spread custard filling over the base and chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
    • In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon butter stirring frequently. Spread the chocolate mixture over the custard filling.
    • Let dish cool completely in the refrigerator before cutting into squares and serving.

    Notes

    → Add a little shredded coconut during step 2 for something a little different.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 2gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 163mgPotassium: 122mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 315IUCalcium: 29mgIron: 1.4mg

    Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

    Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

    Reader Interactions

    1 Comment

    1. Stephen Oschefski

      August 27, 2021 at 4:38 pm

      Always has been one of my favourite deserts

      Reply

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    Hi! I'm Rodney and welcome to my blog. I am a foodie and self-taught cook. After years of experimenting in the kitchen, I decided to share some of my favorite recipes with you. Read More →

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