Nanaimo Bars
Hailing from Canada, this no-bake slice features a soft layer of custard sandwiched between a choc-coconut base and chocolate top. Named after the Canadian city of Nanaimo in British Columbia where it originated, Nanaimo Bars have become a much-loved treat around the world.
How long will it take?
1 hour
What’s the serving size?
Makes approximately 16 bars
What do I need?
For the base
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup caster sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup crushed plain sweet biscuits
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/3 cup chopped almonds
For the filling
- ¼ cup cream
- 3 tbsp custard powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups icing sugar
For the topping
- 225 g dark chocolate
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
How do I make it?
- Line a 20-centimetre square cake tin with baking paper and set aside.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add cocoa powder and caster sugar and stir until smooth. Pour ½ cup of butter mixture into a bowl. Add egg and whisk constantly to combine, then pour back into the saucepan and increase heat to medium. Cook, whisking constantly until the mixture has thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add crushed biscuits, coconut and chopped almonds. Mix well to coat dry ingredients with butter mixture. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Press mixture into prepared cake tin and use the back of a spoon to flatten into a smooth, even layer, then refrigerate.
- To prepare the filling whisk cream and custard powder together in a small bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer add butter and icing sugar and beat until smooth and creamy. Add custard mix and beat until light and fluffy. Spread the filling over the base, then return to the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the top by melting chocolate and butter in the microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring after each, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour mixture over the top of the filling, spreading to cover completely. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Slice into bars after 30 minutes, then return to the fridge until ready to serve.
