“One of my favorite treats since childhood! I've always loved Nanaimo bars, very sweet, soft and crunchy, with a great taste of chocolate and coconut. Pure delight!” -- Marilyn

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Nanaimo Bars: A Canadian Treasure to Savor

The origin of an iconic dessert

Nanaimo bars are a Canadian classic, originating in the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia. This iconic dessert delights with its simplicity and rich flavors.

A three-layered delicacy

These bars feature a crunchy graham cracker and coconut base, a creamy vanilla filling, and a crunchy chocolate glaze.

A pleasure accessible to all

Easy to prepare, these bars are ideal for snacks, parties and special occasions.

An adaptable recipe

You can customize this recipe by omitting the nuts for kids or adding maple sugar for a Quebecois touch. With no (or almost no) baking required, this recipe is ideal for chocolate and coconut lovers. Easy to make at home, they bring a touch of nostalgia and pleasure to every bite.

Summary
🔍 Information	Details
⏱️ Preparation time	30 minutes
🍳 Cooking time	10 minutes (double boiler)
⏲️ Total time	1 hour 40 minutes (including refrigeration)
🔧 Difficulty level	AVERAGE
🍽️ Servings	16
🔥 Calories (approximate)	380 per serving

Ingredients

Base : 1/2 cup butter (salted or unsalted) 1/4 cup sugar (or maple sugar ) 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 egg 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened) 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans) Trim : 1/2 cup softened butter (salted or unsalted) 2 cups icing sugar 3 tbsp. 35% cream 2 tbsp. of custard powder (Bird's Custard type) or, failing that, milk powder and a little vanilla Frosting: 150g dark (or semi-sweet) chocolate, chopped 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

Prepare the base: Melt the butter, sugar and cocoa in a bain-marie. Stir in the egg and cook for a few minutes. Mix with graham cracker crumbs, coconut and walnuts. Press the mixture into a mold and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Prepare the filling: Beat the butter, cream and custard powder. Gradually stir in the icing sugar. Spread evenly over the base and refrigerate for 30 min. Prepare the icing: Melt the chocolate and butter in a bain-marie. Pour over the filling and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Cut and serve: Let it cool for a few minutes. Cut into bars with a hot, dry knife. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Tips:

• Use fresh, quality nuts for an authentic taste.

• Let the bars cool for a few minutes before serving for less brittle chocolate.

Nutritional Information per Serving
Nutrient	Quantity
Calories	380 kcal
Proteins	3 g
Carbohydrates	45 g
Sugars	30 g
Fibers	4 g
Lipids	20 g
Saturated fatty acids	13 g
Sodium	150 mg
Health note	6/10 Highlights: High in fiber and authentic taste. Weaknesses: High sugar.

Questions & Answers about Nanaimo Bars

Can you omit the nuts from the recipe? Yes, nuts are optional. You can leave them out for a school-friendly version.

Can maple sugar replace white sugar? Absolutely! Maple sugar can replace the sugar in the base for a Quebecois touch, but it's best to save the icing sugar for the topping.

How to get crack-free chocolate frosting? Let it cool for a few minutes before cutting and use a warm knife for clean cuts.

How long can you keep Nanaimo bars? They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Did you know? 🌎
Nanaimo bars are one of Canada's iconic desserts. But every country has its own must-try treat. Here are some famous desserts around the world and their estimated popularity (in millions of annual searches):
🌐 Dessert	📊 Popularity
🇨🇦 Nanaimo Bars (Canada)	■ ■ ■ ■ □ (4M searches)
🇮🇹 Tiramisu (Italy)	■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ (7M searches)
🇫🇷 Crème brûlée (France)	■ ■ ■ ■ ■ (5M searches)
🇯🇵 Mochi (Japan)	■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ (6M searches)
🇦🇷 Alfajores (Argentina)	■ ■ ■ ■ □ (4M searches)
🇺🇸 Cheesecake (United States)	■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ (8M searches)
Desserts unite cultures and generations… and Nanaimo bars, with their blend of chocolate, coconut and cream, are a delicious example! 🍫🥥