There are many phrases I like to live by, ‘Do it right’ is one of them. So when I decided to make Nanaimo bars, I searched and found the official recipe from Nanimo, British Columbia. It’s an easy, no-bake recipe, and since the first time I made them, they have been a favourite chocolate craving of my mother’s and mine.

Nanaimo Bars

Bottom Layer

• ½ cup unsalted butter
  
• ¼ cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1¼ cups graham wafer crumbs
• ½ cup finely chopped or ground almonds
• 1 cup shredded coconut

Melt first 3 ingredients in a double broiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat and stir in crumbs, coconut, and nuts. Pour into an ungreased 8×8 inch pan, and press firmly to evenly cover the bottom.

Second Layer

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons cream
• 2 tablespoons vanilla custard powder
• 2 cups icing sugar

Cream butter, cream, custard powder, and icing sugar together well. Beat until light, then spread evenly over bottom layer.

Third Layer

• 4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate (1 oz. each)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat, then cool. Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.

Note: They need about an hour in the fridge before they’re ready to eat (if you’re impatient like me), the longer the better though.

Source: Official website of the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia