Chef Dez Makes Nanaimo Bars From a Family Recipe

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.

Start by mixing softened butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and 1 beaten egg in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it resembles a custard.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, chopped walnuts, coconut, and graham wafer crumbs until thoroughly combined.

Transfer the mixture to a 9x9 square pan, pressing it evenly into the bottom of the pan with gloves or bare hands.

Chill the base in the fridge to set.

In a stand mixer, combine softened butter, milk, and Bird's custard powder, creaming them together.

Gradually add icing sugar to the mixture, scraping down the sides as needed until fully combined.

Spread the icing layer evenly over the chilled base, ensuring it reaches the edges of the pan.

Melt 4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate in a bowl over warm water, ensuring the bowl does not touch the water.

Add a little butter to the melted chocolate and drizzle it over the icing layer, smoothing it out quickly before it sets.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens