No-Bake Nanaimo Bars

Homemade Nanaimo Bars have a chocolate graham cracker crust, an easy custard Nanaimo Bar filling, and a smooth chocolate topping. They are the perfect no-bake recipe!

Hi hi! Just popping in to share this easy Nanaimo Bar recipe with you. I love making bar and slice recipes, and these Nanaimo Bars fit the bill - they have a chocolate graham cracker crust, a custard buttercream filling, and a smooth chocolate topping.

These no-bake Nanaimo bars are super similar to the New Zealand classic the peppermint slice. I love the custard filling paired with the chocolate topping - I have used the same Nanaimo Bar filling in my Squiggle Slice recipe.

How to make Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo bars are named after a wee town on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, which happens to be super close to Port Alberni, where I have family! These are a no bake Nanaimo Bar, so have a base made from graham cracker crumbs and coconut rather than a baked base containing eggs. Here's how to make them:

• Make the base. This is a super easy crumb crust - combine all the ingredients, and add the butter and mix until it forms a wet sand consistency. Pat down firmly into the pan and place into the freezer to firm up while you make the filling.
• Make the middle layer: The filling for a Nanaimo Bar is basically just a custard flavoured American buttercream. Whip it up until smooth, then spread over the chilled base and chill again to firm up the custard layer.
• Add the chocolate layer. Melt chocolate with the neutral oil - either in the microwave or over a double boiler. The oil in the chocolate gives it a nice shiny finish that also means that it is nice and easy to cut. Pour over the filling to form the top layer, then chill in the refrigerator until fully set.
• Cut and enjoy! I like to use a super sharp knife to cut my Nanaimo Bars - I don't usually heat it up as I find that it makes the chocolate run, but you can if you like.

What is Custard Powder?

Custard powder is a powder made up of thickeners and flavourings, primarily corn starch (cornflour for those outside the US). It can be used to make instant custard, but it is also used to flavour this Nanaimo Bar recipe.

There isn't really a substitute for custard powder in a Nanaimo bar as it is what gives it the main flavour. You could leave it out if you just wanted a vanilla icing filling, but I highly recommend picking some up. If you are looking for other ways to use it (it keeps super well), I also use it in my squiggle slice recipe, my rhubarb custard buns recipe, and my Chelsea Buns recipe.

Tips and tricks for making Nanaimo Bars

• I like to really let these chill down before cutting them to ensure that they are nice and chilled and easy to cut. 2-3 hours in the fridge if you can manage it is great.
• A super sharp knife will be your friend when cutting the Nanaimo Bars.
• Store your Nanaimo Bars in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
• You can get custard powder online, or it can be found in some supermarkets.
• If you are having issues getting your buttercream to a thick, smooth consistency, add 1-2 Tbsp cream to get it right. Add a little at a time and then beat to incorporate.
• If you cannot find graham cracker crumbs you can use a similar biscuit or cookie crumb - a digestive biscuit works well. You may need to adjust the quantity of the butter in the base layer - you want it to be like wet sand.

For more bar and slice recipes, check out:

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