The original recipe calls for custard powder. If you are not able to find it, you can substitute instant vanilla pudding mix.
You might want to score the top of the bars before the chocolate completely hardens to facilitate cutting them evenly without breaking the top layer.
Nanaimo Bars
These no-bake cookies combine a nutty, coconut, crumb base, a custard filling, and chocolate ganache on top. This is a basic, vanilla recipe, but there are numerous varieties. Try adding mint flavor and a bit of green food coloring to the custard layer to get mint, or use almonds instead of walnuts and almond flavoring instead of vanilla.
Ingredients
Base
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 5 Tbsp baking cocoa
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1¾ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup walnuts finely chopped
- 1 cup coconut shredded or flaked
Filling
- ½ cup butter
- 3 Tbsp milk
- 2 Tbsp vanilla custard powder or instant pudding mix
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Top layer
- â…” cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 4 Tbsp butter
Instructions
Base
- Melt first 3 ingredients in top of double boiler or heavy saucepan. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken.
- Remove from heat. Stir in remaining base ingredients and press firmly into an ungreased 13 x 9-inch pan.
Filling
- Cream together butter, milk, custard powder, and powdered sugar; beat until light. Spread over bottom layer.
Top layer
- Melt chocolate chips and butter over low heat; cool. When cooled but still runny, spread over middle layer.
- Chill in refrigerator. Use a very sharp knife to cut into 2" x 1.5" squares.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 86mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 207IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This looks amazing! I love anything that tastes custardy! 😋 yum!