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How to make namaimo bars

Nanaimo Bars

Course Dessert
Cuisine Canadian
Keyword easy, homemade, Kid approved, no bake, sweets
Author Bettina Zabel

Ingredients

Layer 1

  • ½ cup Butter 1 stick softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 5 TBSP Cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 cup shredded coconut you can use either sweet or unsweet, depending on your taste

Layer 2

  • 3 TBSP Heavy Whipping Cream
  • ½ cup butter 1 stick softened
  • 2 TBSP corn starch
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Layer 3

  • 4 oz baking chocolate semisweet
  • 2 TBSP butter

Instructions

First Layer

  1. Combine 1/2 cup butter, sugar, and cocoa powder in a pot and on low, melting the butter and ingredients together. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth.

    canadian desserts

  2. Whisk an egg in a separate bowl and then mix into the cocoa powder mixture until smooth. Stir for 2-3 minutes. It is important that you cook the cocoa mixture on low as to not "cook" the egg. Alternatively, you could "temper" the egg by putting spoonfuls of of the warm mixture into the whisked egg and then pour it all back into the mixture on the stove.

  3. Take off the heat and mix in the graham crackers and coconut. 

  4. Press the mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 8x8 pan. Set aside or chill and move onto the Second Layer!

Second Layer

  1. Cream together 1/2 cup butter, heavy cream, cornstarch, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Mix in the powdered sugar until smooth. 

  2. Spread over the first layer in the pan. Chill to set.

Third Layer

  1. While the second layer is chilling, melt the semisweet chocolate and 2 teaspoons butter together over low heat. 

  2. Spread over the chilled bars. 
  3. Let the chocolate set before cutting into squares.

Recipe Notes

The second layer is supposed to be a custard flavor and often many people don't have custard powder at their fingertips. Some people will substitute with vanilla pudding, but I like the cornstarch and vanilla approach better, it helps fluff up the icing!