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.

Whisk together 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup cocoa powder in a bowl.

Add 2 beaten eggs gradually to 1 cup of hot melted butter, whisking to temper the eggs and avoid scrambling them.

Once combined, the mixture should be thick and chocolatey.

Incorporate 1 cup of oats into the chocolate mixture.

Add 2 cups of shredded coconut to the mixture and combine well.

Instead of walnuts, add 3 cups of graham cracker crumbs, breaking them up by hand into bigger and smaller pieces.

Mix in half of the graham cracker crumbs, then add the remaining half, ensuring a textured base.

Press the chocolatey base firmly into the bottom of a prepared 9x13 inch pan and refrigerate.

For the middle layer, cream 1 1/2 cups of softened butter using a mixer.

Add 1/3 cup of custard powder and 2/3 cup of heavy whipping cream to the creamed butter.

Gradually mix in 5 cups of icing sugar until well combined, adjusting for texture and taste.

Spread the middle layer over the chilled base and refrigerate again.

Melt 3 cups of chocolate chips with 1 tbsp of coconut oil using the microwave method.

Pour the melted chocolate over the middle layer and spread evenly.

Refrigerate the bars for a minimum of 4 hours before cutting.

To cut the bars, run a sharp knife under very hot water to prevent cracking the chocolate topping.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens