Nanaimo Bar Recipe (No Bake) (2024)

Kevin Is Cooking | Course | Desserts | Nanaimo Bars

By Kevin

published Jun 26, 2020, updated Dec 20, 2021

5 from 5 votes

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My Nanaimo bar recipe has layers of coconut-graham crust, creamy vanilla filling, and chocolate ganache. Make this no bake dessert for a delicious treat anytime!

Nanaimo Bar Recipe (No Bake) (2)

What are Nanaimo bars?

OK, who is ready for a little sweet treat? This no bake, bar cookie is decadent and amazingly easy to put together.

This delicious Canadian dessert is named for the coastal city of Nanaimo, British Colombia. While the exact history and origin are a bit mysterious, it’s well known that these chocolate coconut bars were a common treat in the lunchboxes of local miners.

What are they made of?

The dessert has a chocolate-coconut graham cracker crust and is topped with a smooth chocolate ganache.

Traditionally, the yellow layer in the middle can be either a creamy vanilla-flavored custard or vanilla buttercream. And it doesn’t need to be cooked or tempered because it’s made with butter and heavy cream instead of eggs.

Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Graham cracker crumbs – either whole graham crackers or store-bought crumbs
  • Butter, melted
  • Sugar
  • Cocoa powder – use unsweetened, either regular or Dutch-processed
  • Shredded coconut – unsweetened
  • Slivered almonds – can also substitute walnuts or pecans

Filling

  • Butter, softened
  • Custard Powder
  • Powdered sugar – also known as confectioner’s sugar
  • Heavy cream – also labeled heavy whipping cream
  • Vanilla extract

Chocolate Shell

  • Butter, melted
  • Bittersweet chocolate – either a bar broken into chunks or chocolate chips
Nanaimo Bar Recipe (No Bake) (4)

Nanaimo bar recipe instructions

  1. Make the crust: Blend the crust ingredients in a food processor until crumbly and well combined. Pulse until there are no more large chunks.
  2. Form the crust: Lightly press the mixture along the bottom of a parchment-lined baking dish. Make an even layer with a spatula, spoon, or even your fingers.
  3. Mix the filling: Beat the ingredients for the filling together until smooth. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, and mix on medium speed to incorporate lots of air. This will be light and creamy.
  4. Add to pan: Spoon the custard into the baking pan and gently spread over the crust. Smooth into an even layer with a spatula.
  5. Melt the chocolate: Melt the butter in a pan on the stove, then add the chocolate and stir until melted. Remove from heat and let cool.
  6. Finish dessert: Carefully spread the melted chocolate over the filling in a smooth, even layer.
Nanaimo Bar Recipe (No Bake) (5)

Once you have assembled the chocolate coconut bars, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until the dessert is completely set.

Then, use a clean, sharp knife to cut into evenly-sized squares before serving.

RECIPE NOTES

  • Storage – Keep these no bake bars covered or in an airtight container. They will last in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  • Freezing – You can wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 6 months. Individual bars can be stored together in a freezer-safe plastic storage bag.
  • Cutting the bars – Cut across the bars instead of pressing downward to get cleaner slices. This will also help prevent the top from cracking.

MORE BAR DESSERT RECIPES

  • Lemon Berry Streusel Bars
  • No Bake Caramel Chocolate Cookie Bars
  • Key Lime Bars
  • Millionaire Shortbread Bars

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Nanaimo Bar Recipe (No Bake) (6)

Nanaimo Bars

5 from 5 votes

This Nanaimo bar recipe has layers of coconut-graham crust, vanilla custard, and chocolate ganache. Make this no bake dessert tonight!

Servings: 9

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

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Ingredients

Base Layer

  • 8 tbsp butter softened
  • 5 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (See Note 1)
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 3/4 cup slivered almonds

Filling

Chocolate Topping

  • 8 oz bittersweet chocolate
  • 4 tbsp butter softened

Instructions

  • Line a 8×8″ baking pan with parchment paper with some hanging off edges to lift out easily.

Base Layer

  • Melt 8 tablespoons of butter. In a food processor combine graham cracker crumbs, coconut, almonds, melted butter, cocoa and sugar. Pulse several times until mixture is ground and well mixed.

  • Spoon into prepared 8"x8" baking pan and press crumb mixture evenly into bottom using rubber spatula or hands. Set aside.

Filling

  • Using a hand mixer, beat 8 tablespoons of softened butter, powdered sugar, cream, custard powder and vanilla in a bowl on medium speed until smooth. Spread evenly over chocolate crumb layer. Set aside.

Chocolate Topping

  • Melt remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and chocolate in saucepan over medium heat. Stir to blend and let cool for a minute.

  • Spread evenly over vanilla layer. Chill until chocolate is firm and dessert is set, at least 4 hours. Cut into squares and serve.

Video

Notes

  1. 4 crackers make up 1 sheet. 5 1/2 sheets ground make 1 cup. For this recipe we will need 6 sheets ground total.
  2. Bird’s Custard Powder is traditionally used in the filling. Substitutes include: 2 tbsp powdered vanilla pudding OR a quarter cup of powdered milk. Bird’s Custard Powder is available online.

Nutrition

Calories: 682kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 339mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 819IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Canadian

Author: Kevin Is Cooking

Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!

Nanaimo Bar Recipe (No Bake) (7)

Kevin

Whether in the kitchen or on the grill, you’ll find me cooking American favorites with a love for BBQ, Mexican and Tex Mex. I’m passionate about making tasty food because life’s too short to be bland!

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FAQs

What are Nanaimo bars called in the USA? ›

But neither Nanaimo's historical miners nor current residents have an exclusive relationship with the dessert; over the last century, similar sweets have popped up across North America, going by names like “New York slice,” “London fog bar” and “prayer bar.” Still, when it comes to branding, Nanaimo is the winner, bar ...

Can Nanaimo bars go bad? ›

In the Refrigerator: Nanaimo bars will keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Serve straight from the fridge. In the Freezer: You can also keep your Nanaimo bars in the freezer for 2-3 months in an airtight container.

Why are Nanaimo bars a must try? ›

But in reasonable doses (or not), Nanaimo bars are wonderfully luxurious, satisfying treats; the shredded coconut and nut counterpoint to the thick velvety texture of the icing and ganache has been winning the hearts of sweet-toothed Canadians and visitors for decades.

What are Nanaimo bars made of? ›

The Nanaimo bar (/nəˈnaɪmoʊ/ nə-NY-moh) is a bar dessert that requires no baking and is named after the Canadian city of Nanaimo in British Columbia. It consists of three layers: a wafer, nut (walnuts, almonds, or pecans), and coconut crumb base; custard icing in the middle; and a layer of chocolate ganache on top.

What is the old name for Nanaimo? ›

Founded as Colvilletown around a Hudson's Bay Company trading post, it developed after 1849 when coalfields were discovered nearby by local Indigenous people. In 1860 the settlement was renamed Sne-ny-mo (whence Nanaimo) from an Indigenous word meaning “a big, strong tribe,” which was applied to a tribal confederation.

Are Nanaimo Bars a Canadian thing? ›

The Nanaimo bar. It's a sweet treat made from chocolate, custard, coconut and walnuts. Love it or hate it, it's uniquely British Columbian.

Where is the original Nanaimo bar? ›

This creamy, chocolatey treat's origin is elusive, shrouded in mystery, and claimed by many as their own. Of course, we know that Nanaimo Bars originated in Nanaimo, or they would be called New York Bars, or New Brunswick Bars.

Do Nanaimo bars need to be refrigerated? ›

To Store: The bars will last about a week and a half in the fridge in a sealed container. The filling softens at room temperature so they're best chilled. To Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months - Nanaimo bars freeze perfectly!

Can you eat year old white chocolate? ›

Can you eat expired chocolate? While consuming expired chocolate isn't necessarily harmful, it may not taste as fresh or flavorful as it once did. In most cases, chocolate past its expiration date is still safe to eat, provided it has been stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage.

What is a fun fact about Nanaimo bar? ›

It is named after Nanaimo, British Columbia, where it was popularized in the years following the Second World War. It subsequently rose to wider prominence after Expo 86. In 2006, the Nanaimo bar was declared Canada's favourite confection by a reader's poll in the National Post.

What is another name for Nanaimo Bars? ›

Other names for Nanaimo Bars include but are not limited to New York Slice, New York Special, Mississauga Bars, Edmonton Esks, Georgia Street Slices, Georgia Strait Smog Squares, London Fog Bars and London Smog Bars — coincidentally the London Fog (a hot drink consisting of steamed milk, vanilla syrup and Earl Grey Tea ...

What is the slogan of Nanaimo? ›

We are indeed a harbour city nestled between the water and the hills. 'Welcome to Nanaimo: the Harbour City.” We have so much harbour that we've adopted it as our slogan.

Why does it smell in Nanaimo? ›

Every year around March, herring spawn off the shores near French Creek. Roe wash up on nearby beaches and decompose into the summer. The decomposing eggs release hydrogen sulphide and winds can carry the odors towards the highway and FCPCC.

What is a substitute for custard powder? ›

If a recipe lists custard powder and you don't have any, you can make some simple swaps to achieve the same effect. For each tablespoon of custard powder that's called for in your recipe, you can make your own custard mix with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch plus 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of fine salt.

What is the worlds largest Nanaimo bar? ›

The completed bar weighed in at 530 pounds and measured eight feet long, 44 inches wide and three inches high. The family will submit their logs, photos, weights and measurements to the people at Guinness. They hope to receive the official certificate in the mail in a couple of months.

Does America have Nanaimo Bars? ›

After that, the Nanaimo bar began to be sold on BC Ferries and spread in popularity across Canada. It can now be found in Costco, Starbucks and countless cafes in Canada and the United States. A variation known as “prayer bars” is also popular in the American Midwest.

What is Nanaimo city nickname? ›

'Welcome to Nanaimo: the Harbour City.” We have so much harbour that we've adopted it as our slogan.

Which bar dessert was named after a city in British Columbia? ›

In 1986, Nanaimo Mayor Graeme Roberts, in conjunction with Harbour Park Mall, initiated a contest to find the ultimate Nanaimo Bar Recipe. During the four-week long contest, almost 100 different variations of the famous confection were submitted.

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