How to make Homemade Nanaimo Bars

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil provides a dairy-free option while margarine is often less expensive.

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: coconut cream

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Coconut cream offers a rich texture while the milk + cornstarch mix is budget-friendly.

granulated sugar

🥗Healthier: stevia

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Stevia reduces calories while brown sugar adds a deeper flavor.

walnuts

🥗Healthier: almonds

💰Cheaper: pecans

Almonds are often lower in calories and pecans can be more affordable.

Set up a double boiler with a pot of simmering water and a heatproof bowl on top.

In the top bowl, add 1/2 cup of butter, 1/4 cup of white sugar, and 5 tbsp of cocoa powder; stir to melt and combine.

Add in 1 egg and mix well, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.

Remove the mixture from heat and stir in 1 and 3/4 cup of graham cracker crumbs and 1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut.

Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8x8 inch square casserole dish evenly.

Chill the base in the fridge to set.

In a bowl, add 1/2 cup of softened butter, 3 tbsp of whipping cream, 2 tbsp of vanilla custard powder, and 2 cups of icing sugar; beat until smooth and creamy.

Spread the custard icing over the chilled base layer.

Chill again to set the custard layer.

In a small bowl, gently heat and melt 4 oz of semi-chocolate with 2 tbsp of butter until smooth.

Spread the melted chocolate over the custard layer gently.

Chill the bars to set before cutting into bite-sized pieces.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens