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The Original Nanaimo Bar
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5 stars stars based on 55 reviews - 100% would make this again
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Nanaimo Bars are a traditional Canadian bar cookie whose origins are in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
BOTTOM LAYER
1/2 cup unsalted butter (Euro-style cultured)
1/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg, beaten
1 3/4 cup graham wafer crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
1 cup coconut
Melt first 3 ingredients in top of a double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press firmly into an ungreased 8 X 8 pan.
SECOND LAYER
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons and 2 tsp. cream
2 tablespoons vanilla custard powder (such as Birds -- see Note below)
2 cups icing sugar
Cream butter, cream, custard powder and icing sugar together well. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer.
THIRD LAYER
4 squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. each)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool When cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.
Note:
Birds custard powder is widely available in the UK and Canada. However, it is harder to find in other areas of the world. If you are unable to find it, try the Napoleon Creams recipe which uses vanilla pudding. It's not quite the same, but it is a good substitute.
Photo by crd! under Creative Commons license.
Reviews of The Original Nanaimo Bar:
6-15 of 55 reviews << Previous - Next >>
Rob in Raleigh,NC Jan 6, 2011
Would make this again.
My wife loves these amazing, tasting wonder bars.Only if she had her own website selling these bars, she be in heaven. 5 stars
Dar in Wisconsin, USA Dec 23, 2010
Would make this again.
One of the best, if not the best, bars I have ever eaten!!!! 5 stars
Bob in San Jose, CA Dec 20, 2010
Would make this again.
looks very similar to a seven-layer bar,so I will try it 5 stars
Kelsey Dec 19, 2010
Would make this again.
Love these!!
Sarah from New Brunswick - Great idea! I was planning on making these this week, and I am going to try it with peppermint extract. 5 stars
Robert in Belize Dec 15, 2010
Would make this again.
Yum! 5 stars
Amelie in Edmonton, AB, Canada Dec 14, 2010
Would make this again.
I've eaten a lot of Nanaimo bars and these were probably the best ever! I'm going to make this every Christmas. 5 stars
Sarah in New Brunswick Canada Dec 7, 2010
Would make this again.
These are a MUST for any self-respecting Canadian baker at Christmas time....one thing my kids love is adding 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract and a few drops of green food coloring to the custard layer. Very pretty! You can also mix 3 tbsp of coffee liqueur with 2 tsp instant coffee granules and use that instead of the cream (in the custard layer) and then you have mocha Nanaimo bars. And use walnuts instead of almonds in the first layer. 5 stars
melodys in texas Dec 1, 2010
Would make this again.
hi canada! this is an awsome treat! I love canada! 5 stars
A cookie baker in Canada Dec 1, 2010
Would make this again.
Very similar to our family's version except we use walnuts in the bottom layer. Also you can get away with margarine in the bottom layer but the middle is best with butter. 5 stars
Wanda in Braselton, ga Nov 28, 2010
Would make this again.
Great... great... great! I couldn't find the custard powder, so I just used Vanilla Pudding instead. Came out great and tasted yummy! A new family favorite! 5 stars
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