Nanaimo Bars

Submitted by CountryLady

"Named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, the first time this square was published under that name was in the early 1950's in the Vancouver Sun newspaper! This version of the original bar is from Company's Coming - 150 Delicious Squares! Later versions change the vanilla custard layer to mint or peanut butter but the original is my favourite. You can make this a day ahead of a special occasion or keep it in the freezer. I used to freeze half because I'm very weak & I would eat the whole thing myself BUT I soon discovered that it tastes good even when its frozen!"

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 36 squares

ingredients

• BOTTOM LAYER

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 5 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 3⁄4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1⁄2 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1 cup fine coconut

• MIDDLE LAYER

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons vanilla custard powder
• 2 cups icing sugar

• TOPPING

• 2⁄3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or 4 ounces chocolate
• 4 tablespoons butter or 4 tablespoons margarine

directions

1. BOTTOM LAYER: Melt first 3 ingredients in top of double boiler or heavy saucepan.
2. Add egg & stir to cook & thicken.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in remaining ingredients& press firmly into an ungreased 9 x 9-inch pan.
5. MIDDLE LAYER: Cream all ingredients together; beat until light.
6. Spread over bottom layer.
7. TOPPING: Melt chips & butter over low heat; cool.
8. When cooled but still runny, spread over middle layer.
9. Chill in refrigerator.
10. Use a very sharp knife to cut into squares.

Reviews

[chefbrian96]

I needed a dish that was truly Canadian for an event we are doing this weekend. This is a really good and easy recipe for making one of my favorite foods. For the top layer I made one and a half times the recipe. Thanks for sharing

 

[nomi_steen]

It's impossible to spread the custard layer without refrigerating the bottom layer - I just ended up with a giant mess and had to go back to the store and do it all again. Poor instructions.

 

[mbarski]

An excellent recipe and a definate staple for Xmas. I always make 2 for Xmas, the original recipe for my children and an adult version for adults by exchanging liqueur for milk in middle layer and, depending on the flavour of liqueur, substituting different nuts for the walnuts in base. Amaretto with toasted almonds, Frangelico with hazelnuts, the possibilities are endless!

 

[Abby Girl]

These are such a delicious treat...it would be hard not to eat just one. Don't think of the calories when you eat them...they are so worth it! Nanaimo is pronounced : Na-NYE-mo. Great posting!!

 

[Canadian_in_the_Bay]

I had not had these in years. I did everything exactly as directed and they turned out wonderfully.