Nanaimo Bars (Classic Version) - Joyofbaking.com

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.

Melt 113 g of butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.

Add 50 g of granulated sugar and 30 g of cocoa powder to the melted butter and stir until combined.

Lightly whisk one large egg and gradually add it to the butter mixture while whisking constantly to avoid curdling.

Return the mixture to medium-low heat and cook for 1-2 minutes until it thickens, whisking constantly.

Remove from heat and whisk in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

In a bowl, combine 200 g of graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup of coconut, and 50 g of chopped walnuts; mix well.

Pour the crumb mixture into a 9-inch square baking pan and press it evenly into the bottom.

Chill the crumb layer in the fridge for about 1 hour until firm.

For the buttercream layer, beat 57 g of room temperature unsalted butter until creamy.

Add 20 g of dried custard powder and 0.5 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the butter and mix well.

Sift in 230 g of confectioner sugar and mix slowly to avoid a sugar cloud.

Add 2-3 tablespoons of cream or milk until the mixture is spreadable and creamy.

Spread the buttercream over the chilled crumb layer and chill for another 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Melt 120 g of chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate with 1 tablespoon of room temperature butter over a saucepan of simmering water until smooth.

Pour the melted chocolate over the buttercream layer and spread it evenly.

Chill again until the chocolate sets, about 10-15 minutes, before cutting into squares.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens