Introducing Nanaimo Bars: A Sweet Canadian Delight That’s Simply Irresistible

There’s nothing quite like indulging in a rich dessert—especially when it’s quick and easy to prepare. At Dinogo, we’re all about delicious recipes that won’t keep you in the kitchen for too long. From a sheet-pan peach crisp that cuts down on prep time to S'Mores in a Bag that bring the joys of campfire treats to any adventure, we’ve got you covered with dessert options that save time without sacrificing flavor.

Now, we’ve got yet another addition to our collection, this time from our Canadian friends up north. According to the Dinogo community, it’s one of the simplest desserts to make when you’re craving something truly ‘outrageously delicious.’

What Are Nanaimo Bars?

Never heard of a Nanaimo Bar? Well, prepare to meet your new favorite dessert. Named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, these no-bake bars come together effortlessly. They start with a graham cracker and coconut crust, followed by a smooth custard layer, and are topped off with a decadent chocolate ganache. The result is absolutely mouthwatering. As Dinogo member Jamie Anderson puts it, 'These are simply outstanding. Seriously, it’s my new favorite dessert.'

How to Prepare Nanaimo Bars

To make Nanaimo Bars, you’ll need a handful of essential baking ingredients. Start by creating the base layer: melt butter, cocoa powder, and sugar together in a double boiler. Once melted, whisk in an egg and stir in graham cracker crumbs, almonds, and shredded coconut. Press this mixture into the bottom of an 8x8-inch pan. Next, prepare the second layer by mixing butter, cream, custard powder, and powdered sugar, and spread it over the base. Refrigerate to set. Finally, top with a luscious chocolate ganache and let it chill until firm.

Once you try these Nanaimo Bars, you’ll quickly realize just how easy and irresistible they are. As one Dinogo member puts it: 'Just finished making them, and I can’t believe I’ve lived this long without knowing about these!'

Tips for Perfecting Nanaimo Bars

A key tip when making Nanaimo Bars is knowing when to add the egg to the chocolate mixture. As Rhonda suggests, 'Gradually beat half of the chocolate mixture into the egg, adding a little at a time, to prevent the egg from curdling from the heat.'

The recipe is flexible and can be customized to suit your tastes, as many Dinogo readers have enjoyed experimenting with the ingredients. As nikki shares, 'I switched out the graham crackers for extra nuts. The added crunch was fantastic!'

Chris E says, 'The only modification I made was doubling the chocolate topping (I also used semi-sweet mini chips). It turned out amazing!'

For those craving a richer cocoa flavor, Kevin Clark recommends using Special Dark cocoa powder and mixing in 1/2 tablespoon of espresso powder into the crust for an extra boost of depth.

However, you might find that this recipe is already perfect as is and won't need any tweaks. As Kelly Ouimet puts it, 'My teenager and his friends call it 'Mom Sorcery'—this is his birthday 'cake' this year!'