A Great Canadian Dessert Eh!

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During our year long trip around the world, we have bee staying with many people and we wanted to be able to make something Canadian for them. We got this Nanaimo bar recipe from one of our neighbours back home, Gail, and have been making the bars our whole trip. They have been enjoyed by all and now others can make this great Canadian recipe too!  This dessert has three layers: the base, custard in the middle, and a chocolate top.

The finished Nanaimo bars
The finished Nanaimo bars

Base Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
5 tbsp cocoa

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 8×8 baking pan

parchment paper

 

1. In a double boiler, combine the first five ingredients.

The first ingredients
The first ingredients
Mixing in a double boiler
Mixing in a double boiler

2. Mix until combined and melted.

The combined melted ingredients
The combined melted ingredients

3. Remove from heat.

4.Stir in coconut and graham cracker crumbs.

Adding the coconut and graham cracker crumbs
Adding the coconut and graham cracker crumbs
All the combined ingredients
All the combined ingredients

5. Spread the mixture in a square pan lined with parchment paper for easy removal.

6. Pat it down into a firm base.

The base in the pan
The base in the pan

7. Chill in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes.

 

Custard Ingredients

1/4 cup soft butter (not melted)
2 cups icing sugar
2 tbsp custard powder
3 tbsp milk

1. Mix all ingredients until smooth and creamy without any lumps.  Add more milk if needed.

The ingredients in a bowl before being mixed
The ingredients in a bowl before being mixed

2. Spread onto the chilled base.

The custard on the base
The custard on the base

3. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

 

Top Layer Ingredients

4 big squares of semi sweet chocolate
1 tsp butter

1. Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler or microwave.

Chocolate and butter
Chocolate and butter

2. Mix together and spread on top of the custard.

The melted chocolate and butter
The melted chocolate and butter
Spreading the chocolate on to the custard
Spreading the chocolate on to the custard

3. Chill until chocolate sets.

4. Score the chocolate when it is semi-firm to be able to cut it easier.

5. Cut into squares, serve, and enjoy!

The finished Nanaimo bars
The finished Nanaimo bars

A special thank you to Teta Gail for giving us a truly unique and fantastic Canadian dessert!


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Comments

15 responses to “A Great Canadian Dessert Eh!”

  1. Herta Park Avatar
    Herta Park

    What a great and “classic Canadian” idea!

    1. Mikhaila Avatar
      Mikhaila

      Hi Herta,

      I love nanaimo bars especially since they are Canadian! 🙂

  2. Terry Gelinas Avatar
    Terry Gelinas

    Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    1. Mikhaila Avatar
      Mikhaila

      Hello Terry,

      When you make it can I have a sample? 🙂

  3. Hi, Mikhaila, I just finished making the best apricot/apple cake from your Aunt in Australia, it turned out really great and is just yummy. I plan to make the Nanaimo Bar recipe when it gets a bit cooler. Love the step by step instructions with photos. I’ve never made them and look forward to the experience. Thanks for this and Love to all

    1. Mikhaila Avatar
      Mikhaila

      Hi Oma,

      Making nanaimo bars is really fun! I think they can be made at any time! 🙂

      1. I honestly am probably going to make some tonight.

  4. Hi Mikhaila,

    All I can say is” Yummy in my Tummy”! They look so delicious! Thank you for sharing and for giving us not only step by step directions but as well as wonderful photos! Love, Baba

    1. Mikhaila Avatar

      Hello Baba,

      Nanaimo bars are one of my favourite desserts now! Before this trip, I had never tried one but now I know how to make them. 🙂

  5. Gail Lawlor Avatar
    Gail Lawlor

    Ahhhh! I had forgotten that you asked for my nanaimo bar recipe before you left!! so glad you were able to share this yummy treat around the world.

    Did you make it to Nanaimo BC?

    Do I see butter tarts in the background of one of your photos???? Yum!! If you are good at making those I would love your recipe for them! I have tried many different ones and none have hit the mark yet. So simple but so difficult to get the right combination of sweet and gooey!! The pastry plays a huge role in their success.

    Funny story: My mom and I ONLY made Nanaimo bars for Christmas, so when Richard asked me to make them in July one year I was aghast. “I can’t make them in the summer, they are a Christmas square!” I responded. He asked “why?” I had no good reason except 30 some years of only making them in December! So now I make them year round and EVERYONE loves them – as you discovered too.

    Love Gail

    1. Mikhaila Avatar

      Hi Teta Gail,

      The nanaimo bars were a big hit with everyone we made them for. We often got requests to go back to their house and make more! Thanks again for sharing this awesome recipe. 🙂

  6. Dear Mikhaila,

    You’ve reminded me of not only that yummy desert but of the wonderful Canadian dinner. Remember even Pranav who doesn’t like anything with coconut in it loved it. In fact he had the most of it.:).
    Lots of love to all of you.
    Anju

    1. Mikhaila Avatar

      Hello Anju,

      We remember that dinner! We also remember all our time we spent with you and think about you often. 🙂

  7. Doreen laird Avatar
    Doreen laird

    Hey Mikhaila,
    Just how many times have you made Nanaimo bars during this wonderful trip? I love them!
    Happy birthday! Love to all..Teta Doreen xoxo

    1. Mikhaila Avatar

      Hi Teta Doreen,

      We’ve made the bars so many times I’ve lost count! I love the nanaimo bars too! 🙂

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