Nanaimo Bars Recipe: Oh, Canada, Thank You for This No-Bake Dessert Bar Recipe (10 Ingredients) Desserts British Recipes Snacks Cakes/Cupcakes Gluten-free Candy

A Nanaimo bar is a layered dessert bar recipe named after the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia. The Canadian no-bake recipe has three delicious layers: a chocolate crust, creamy vanilla filling and chocolate glaze. These Canadian Nanaimo dessert bars will make both chocolate loves and vanilla lovers happy!

Surprise your family by making this easy Nanaimo bar recipe. Here is your short shopping list for this Canadian dessert recipe: granulated sugar, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, graham cracker crumbs (use gluten-free graham crackers for a gluten-free dessert), shredded coconut, powdered sugar, instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, semisweet chocolate and optional almonds.

Serve these sweet vanilla and chocolate bars for dessert or as a sweet snack. The easy dessert bars would also make great holiday food gifts

Cuisine: Canadian 
Prep Time: 20 minutes plus 1 hour to chill
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 1/2 hours
Servings: 12 to 15

Ingredients

Crust 

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 12 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (you can use gluten-free graham crackers)
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds (optional)

Filling

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons milk

Glaze

• 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter

Here's how to make it: 

1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. The parchment should extend at least 1 inch over the sides. 
2. In a saucepot, add the sugar, cocoa powder and butter. Cook over low heat until butter melts. 
3. Beat the eggs in a small bowl. Take about 1/4 cup of the butter mixture and stir it into the eggs to temper them. Whisk the mixture into the saucepot and cook until it reaches 160 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat. 
4. Add the graham cracker crumbs, coconut and almonds, if using. Press the mixture into the baking pan. Refrigerate while you make the filling and glaze. (For gluten-free bars, use gluten-free graham crackers.)
5. To make the filling, beat the powdered sugar, pudding mix, butter and milk together until smooth. 
6. To make the glaze, put the chocolate and butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. 
7. Spread the filling over the cold crust, then top with the glaze. Refrigerate until set, at least 1 hour, then cut into bars. Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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