WARNING: These are not healthy, not quick, and totally addictive! With that said I just could not resist making these delicious treats for the holidays because they are a Canadian original and my grandmother always made them for us at this time of year.
Nanaimo bars are named after the town, Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Although it’s creator is unknown, it seems the recipe first appeared in some publications in that area. Since that time there have been many variations created using peanut butter, mint and even cherries but this is the original recipe – utterly decadent with chocolate, custard flavoured butter icing, coconut and more chocolate.
I took some of these down to my American cousins in Michigan this year and most of them had forgotten about them. I think these are available in some places in the US but most Americans that I know haven’t heard of them. (Except my friend, Linda, from LifeandLinda who must have come up here on a secret spy mission to steal our dessert!)
I know I’ve veered completely off course with these rich treats but I couldn’t resist and besides, Santa must be getting tired of cookies. Happy Holidays, Everyone.
- 1 cup Graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- FILLING:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons custard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups icing sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- TOPPING:
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- In a large bowl, combine Graham cracker crumbs, coconut, walnuts, cocoa powder, sugar and egg. Mix well.
- Press mixture into square 9″ cake pan lined with parchment paper. Bake @ 350 F for 10 minutes until firm. Let cool on rack.
- Filling: In a bowl, combine butter, custard powder and vanilla. Beat in icing sugar alternately with milk until creamy. It should be easily spreadable, so you can add up to 1 more teaspoon of milk if necessary. Spread over the cooled crumb mixture and refrigerate for one hour.
- Topping: In a small, heatproof bowl, melt chocolate and butter over a pot of hot (not boiling) water. Spread over filling and refrigerate again for 30 minutes until almost set.
- With a warm knife cut into small squares and refrigerate for one hour. Makes approximately 18 pieces.
52 Comments
auntiepatch69
December 14, 2013 at 3:33 pmIn the first sentence you say NOT UNDER 500 CALORIES but at the bottom of the recipe is says 224 calories. Huh? Am I missing something here?
Robyn
December 14, 2013 at 3:40 pmMy mistake. Thanks for pointing it out – fixed now.
Stephanie
December 14, 2013 at 4:42 pmHi Robyn! For the last several visits to your blog I have not been able to comment – the comment box is grey and says I cannot comment…not sure why! So that is why I hit reply to your name so that I could get a comment out to you 🙂
I have been visiting you and enjoying EVERYTHING that you share! The food that you have been posting about looks divine. I will be over to your house on Christmas to enjoy the yummy goodies 🙂 haha
I hope you are doing well and enjoying this beautiful Christmas season. Thinking of you and sending you warm hugs!
Robyn
December 14, 2013 at 6:37 pmHi Stephanie,
Wow, we must have some kind of weird thing going on between us because I just visited your blog and realized I haven’t seen any of those posts in my mailbox! Hmmm..I’m not sure what to do about this problem but I’ll check the support forums to see if this is a common problem.
Thanks for your kind words, sweet friend. I’m heading over to your blog again now to catch up!
The season has been lovely and festive so far. Are you moved in and settled now? I moved once on December 15 – it was quite an experience! lol.
So nice to see you. oxox
Mindy
December 14, 2013 at 4:11 pmSo glad you shared this recipe and the history! One of our local seafood restaurants serves the best fresh seafood and always has these bars in a refrigerated case on the counter and I am always so curious, but too full, about them. They look so yummy. Your sweet-toothed friend (um, that would be me) doesn’t mind your occasional indulgence : ) Afterall, I am the lady with a shopping cart full of produce and a sweet or two…sigh…
Robyn
December 14, 2013 at 6:40 pmI think the occasional indulgence is just fine too, Mindy, and after all, dark chocolate is good for you! lol. I figured you may have seen these because usually they can be found in states closer to the border. I hope you’re enjoying the holidays. All finished shopping?
Mindy
December 15, 2013 at 7:10 pmAlmost finished – just have to pick up an order tomorrow and purchase one gift card and then on to baking : ) I had to come back and visit here today in order to pin your bar recipe!
Robyn
December 15, 2013 at 10:14 pmAwwhh, you are too sweet, Mindy! Thank you! This blog would not exist without you, my dear friend. xoxo
Patti
December 14, 2013 at 9:58 pmThese look AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
YUM!!
Hugs,
Patti
Robyn
December 15, 2013 at 8:13 amThanks for the visit, Patti. I love hooking up with your beautiful blog.
V@Sproutshouse
December 15, 2013 at 1:24 amWow! These look amazing. Thanks for sharing your recipe – do you know what the UK equivalent of Graham crackers is? Visiting you from the Saturday Night Fever link party. Have a great Sunday. V@Sprout’s House xox
Robyn
December 15, 2013 at 8:12 amHi V,
I think you could use a wheat biscuit or a digestive biscuit. I did a little reading and that’s what most are suggesting as an alternative.
Thanks so much for visiting and your lovely comments. I’m off to visit your blog as well. Cold and snowy here today but it’s Sunday so that’s always good,lol.
Nancy
December 15, 2013 at 12:44 pmMmmmmmm…..one of my favorites of all time! I was actually going to make some this weekend…yours look perfect! Hoping mine turn out just as good. 🙂
Robyn
December 15, 2013 at 3:38 pmHi Nancy,
Thanks so much for your visit. I have to admit I’m not much of a baker so these are kind of a hit and miss appearance wise for me. No matter – they always taste perfect.
Jane
December 15, 2013 at 1:24 pmRobyn, I love these you brought them for Thanksgiving and I had them the morning after. They taste even better when served cold the next day. Definitely going to bring them to Christmas Eve
Robyn
December 15, 2013 at 1:27 pmHey Jay,
Was thinking of you so much this week. Hugs! That was the best Thanksgiving ever, my sweet cous! Talk to you soon.
SizzleandZoom
December 15, 2013 at 5:01 pmThese are soo off my diet but nonetheless delicious looking. If I were indulging I would grab for these.
Robyn
December 17, 2013 at 8:48 amLOL, they are definitely decadent, Susan, but I am having at least one. Merry Christmas!
Lin
December 15, 2013 at 5:29 pmThey look and sound wonderful. I am not familiar with custard powder so I Googled it. I will try to find some in my Whole Foods. Thank you for this decadent recipe.
Robyn
December 16, 2013 at 2:50 pmHi Lin,
If you don’t find it at Whole Foods, let me know and I’ll research a good substitute. Thanks so much for stopping in!
Lin
December 16, 2013 at 3:24 pmOh Robyn that is so kind of you. I appreciate that offer so much. I will get back to you if I can’t find it.
Robyn
December 17, 2013 at 8:47 amHi Lin,
I had the same question from Susan @ Vintage Farm Wife and found a good substitute if you can’t find it. Happy Holidays!
Deborah
December 16, 2013 at 11:23 amThese look awesomely delicious! I wonder if I could substitute gluten free flour for the graham flour. I’d love to make them for Christmas. Have a very merry Christmas!
Robyn
December 16, 2013 at 12:28 pmHi Deborah,
It’s not flour, they are graham crackers. I think the best substitute would be a gluten free wheat biscuit or digestive biscuit. I guess there are no Graham crackers in the US so I’m going to have to do a little more research to see what would be the best alternative. I’ll work on that today and email you with my findings. Thanks so much for your visit!
Robyn
December 16, 2013 at 2:18 pmHi again, Deborah,
I found this recipe for gluten free graham cracker crumbs at celiac.com. I hope it`s helpful
Recipe for gluten free graham crust
1 1/2 cups G.F. flour
1/2 cup margarine (melted)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts
Mix ingredients and spread evenly but lightly in a 9″ z 13″ baking pan
Bake at 350 for 10 minutes
Stir until well crumbled, return to oven and bake 10 minutes more until browned evenly
Cool and use as a base for any desserts calling for a graham wafer base.
Hint: Double the recipe and store the rest for future use.
susan@avintagefarmwife
December 16, 2013 at 6:46 pmRobin-These sound scrumptious, and I bet Santa is tired of cookies, too! I love recipes with a history behind them. Thanks for sharing. What is custard powder? Also, thanks for the GF graham cracker recipe.
Robyn
December 17, 2013 at 8:43 amHi Susan,
It seems there is not a lot of places that carry custard powder in the US but the main brands are Birds, Edmonds and Hinds. Custard powder is corn flour with vanilla flavouring and a yellow colouring. So to substitute, just use the equivalent amount of corn flour and add vanilla essence to your taste. That should do it. I’ve not tried this but I did some reading and it seems to be the general consensus.
Your blog is looking so lovely, Susan, and I love your Christmas message. Happy Holidays.
Alana
December 17, 2013 at 10:13 amThese look delicious!
Robyn
December 18, 2013 at 11:52 amThanks, Alana, and thanks for visiting. Off to see your ‘Amazing’ blog now 🙂
Gabe
December 19, 2013 at 12:16 pmThese look SO good! I may have to make a trip to the grocery store after work because I am DYING to make them!
Robyn
December 20, 2013 at 11:19 amLOL, Gabe, be careful – they are SO addictive! Thanks so much for visiting.
Tonia (@SunnyPatchBlog)
December 19, 2013 at 1:51 pmI love nanaimo bars! They are one of my favorite treats since moving to Canada. I’ve never attempted to make them before… might have to try after seeing your delicious picture!
Robyn
December 20, 2013 at 11:27 amHiya Tonia,
Welcome to Canada! – land of the hockey arena and Tim Horton’s on every corner and Nanaimo bars in every bakery, lol. Thanks so much for visiting. Good luck on your first attempt!
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt
December 20, 2013 at 4:48 pmThese look delicious! Thank you for sharing over at The Wednesday Round Up! We hope to see you back next week!
dadriscoll
December 20, 2013 at 6:38 pmWow! Those look amazing! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x
Robyn
December 22, 2013 at 6:11 pmThanks, Danielle! Hope you’re not buried in snow and ice this weekend!
Diane (@SimpleLivingEat)
December 22, 2013 at 10:44 amThese must just melt in your mouth… the custard middle sounds amazing. Thanks for bringing them to foodie friday.
Robyn
December 22, 2013 at 6:07 pmThanks, Diane. I broke my rule about fresh and healthy but it’s Christmas so I guess a little indulgence is in order!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Miz Helen
December 22, 2013 at 2:43 pmYour Nanaimo Bars look fabulous, a beautiful presentation! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a very Merry Christmas!
Miz Helen
Robyn
December 22, 2013 at 6:05 pmThanks so much, Miz Helen! Merry Christmas to you and yours. See you in the new year!
Nibbles by Nic | WONDERFULLY CREATIVE WEDNESDAY LINK PARTY
December 31, 2013 at 5:41 pm[…] Nanaimo Bars – Simply Fresh Dinners […]
autumn8960
January 1, 2014 at 8:48 pmThanks for sharing at the Krafty Inspiration Thursday Link Party, you have been chosen as one of the top 5 featured posts at tomorrow’s party.
Have a lovely evening!
Maria @ Krafty Cards etc.
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Krafty Inspiration Thursday Link Party {#23} - Krafty Cards etc
January 1, 2014 at 9:05 pm[…] Nanaimo Bars from Simply Fresh […]
Show Stopper Saturday Link Party, Featuring Dessert Bars - Will Cook For Smiles
January 4, 2014 at 8:01 am[…] 7. Nanaimo Bars from Simply Fresh Dinners […]
organizedisland
January 4, 2014 at 11:49 pmYour nanaimo bars look incredible! Stopping by from Show Stopper Saturdays. Following on Twitter!
Edible Gift Ideas - simply fresh dinners
November 30, 2014 at 6:17 pm[…] My Nanaimo Bars are #33. They were very popular last Christmas and though they are not healthy in any way whatsoever – well, they do have dark chocolate – we all deserve a little bit of decadence during the holidays, don’t we? ! […]
Maggie
December 1, 2014 at 12:42 amThese bars look so delicious and beautiful! It might not be very healthy, but I think the recipe is easy enough to follow. Plus, the end of year + winter season isn’t not mean to be healthy!
I really like the texture cracker crumbs in the bar, and coconut flavor sounds so nice with the custard filling. I want to challenge this sometimes. My other Canadian friend will be so surprised to see these 🙂
Maggie recently posted…The Epic Fail and Why You Should Never Smoke Bacon Indoors
Robyn
December 7, 2014 at 4:51 pmThanks, Maggie. It is easy to make and your friend will love the surprise! Careful though – they are so addictive! 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Christmas Cookie Swap Party
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy
December 2, 2014 at 9:58 amI totally support your indulgence Robyn! I am a big believer that the occasional indulgence will help keep you on track in the long run – at least that’s what I tell myself!
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy recently posted…The Ultimate Bacon Butty Breakfast Sandwich
Robyn
December 7, 2014 at 4:51 pmI tell myself the same thing, Michelle! I have to be careful with these though because I just love them. Good thing I only make them once a year!
Robyn recently posted…Christmas Cookie Swap Party
Christine | No Gojis No Glory
December 6, 2014 at 3:10 pmNow that’s a treat! The next time you take some to your American cousins, don’t forget about your American friends 😉
Christine | No Gojis No Glory recently posted…Dark Chocolate Cookie Bark
Robyn
December 7, 2014 at 4:53 pmLOL, Can you believe I have actually FedEx’d these to San Diego to an American friend, Christine? They arrived completely melted but he was motivated enough to take the recipe and make them for himself. You are much closer so they might make it in one piece 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Christmas Cookie Swap Party