Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (2024)

by Karen 71 Comments

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Last week I received an unsolicited email from the fella's father.

He wanted to talk about squares. Not the mathematical kind, the edible kind. True squares to be specific.

That led to an email exchange about True squares which I would like to share with you now.

Hi Karen,

If you’re still in the market for a true list I offer the following:

The Fella's Father:

THE TRUE SQUARES

There are three true squares and one honourary true square. All other “squares” are nothing but overdecorated, unappetizing sugary horrors that ought to be scraped into the garbage at once. The true squares are:

The Nanaimo bar, aka the Mabel bar, perfection on a paper napkin, the pride of Vancouver Island and the only true square that doesn’t require baking.
The date square (real oats only, no instant porridge mix—ever.)
The brownie (NO NUTS!)
The honourary true square is the lemon square. I don’t like them myself and would sooner open up a vein with a rusty fork than eat one, but I put it on the list to show I am broadminded and open to new ideas.

With the exception of the Nanaimo bar, true squares require baking. If you’re making something with crème de menthe, Jell-o or Rice Crispies and the recipe says to refrigerate, you’re not making a square, you’re making a mess.

True squares should measure at least two inches per side. Church ladies take note: Nothing mars a funeral like the puny half-inch squares served up after the rites. Make them bigger.

This email prompted an immediate reply from me. What about the peanut butter square? Was that not a true square? It's either covered in chocolate, or at the very least offers a delicious chocolate base. What about this as a true square? Was there room on the list for this? Or fudge? If it was cut into a square was fudge not a square? What about a square of fudge? Or a coconut square? These all seem like viable options to me. What about them?

My email went unnoticed. He still hasn't replied.

Other than a single lined email that said "I'm giving true meats some thought." I haven't heard from him since. Last I heard he was seen wearing a tin foil hat picketing the doors of the hamburger bun factory that recently added a whole grain option to their product list.

Bottom Layer
½ cup unsalted butter (European style cultured)
¼ cup sugar
5 tbsp. cocoa
1 egg beaten
1 ¼ cups graham wafer crumbs
½ c. finely chopped almonds
1 cup coconut

Melt first 3 ingredients in top of double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut, and nuts. Press firmly into an ungreased 8" x 8" pan.

Second Layer
½ cup unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. and 2 Tsp. cream
2 Tbsp. vanilla custard powder
2 cups icing sugar

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

Third Layer
4 squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. each)
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool. Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.
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(recipe from the Nanaimo, B.C. website)

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  1. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (6)Carol

    Ok I read this and made the Nanaimo Bars for a BBQ gathering were a baker and a chef were present ... they were a hit. I, who absolutely hate butter cream in any form, was presently surprised ... thank you!

    Reply

    • Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (7)Karen

      Excellent! As far as I can remember, *I've* never even made Nanaimo bars! I have eaten my fair share though. :) Glad they were worth the work! ~ karen

      Reply

  2. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (8)Leonie

    Our pantries in Australia have custard powder in them as a staple. Used for the making of Yoyo's, Custard sponges, Vanilla slices (maybe a true square)to name a few.... It is a powdered cornflour (cornstarch)not sweet, with vanilla flavour that turns yellow when added to wet ingredients. hope that helps.

    Reply

  3. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (9)Janelle

    I lived in Nanaimo for years and nobody was ever able to tell me why Nanaimo bars aren't called Nanaimo squares. To me, a bar has to be rectangular, like a bar of gold, or a chocolate bar. Also, hooray for Fella's Father for calling them "date squares". When people call date squares matrimonial cake it really sticks in my craw.

    Reply

  4. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (10)Jen

    What a nut! I love him!!

    Reply

  5. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (12)The Fella's Father's Wife

    Just feel I need to make something clear here.
    Yes. The fella's dad does indeed have a true wife, but JUST ONE. There are no 4 or 5 true wives, or true mistresses or true Hos. Just me. Just one, glorious and true wife.

    Reply

  6. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (13)Valerie

    Custard powder inquiries: most countries will sell "puddings" in little boxes in their grocery stores to which one adds milk. There are two types of puddings: the instant type (powdered) to which you add milk and beat and then simply pour into dessert cups and this will set in about 10 minutes. The other type available is a powdered concoction to which you add milk and heat to a boil and then pour into dessert cups about an hour before serving. In lieu of the famous Bird's custard powder I have used the "cooked" type of pudding (vanilla flavoured) and had my Nanaimo bars turn out perfectly.Two companies that put this type of pudding out in Canada - North America are Jello and Sheriffs.

    Reply

  7. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (14)Melissa

    How do you pronounce "Nanaimo"? I have a recipe book that has them, and I've always wondered. Is it NAN-aye-moh? Or Nanah-EE-moh? Or something else entirely? Clueless in Connecticut...

    Reply

    • Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (15)Karen but not that karen

      Nah- nie- Mo

      Reply

  8. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (16)Melody

    Could you stick a photo on this post? I'd like to pin it!
    Thanks!

    Reply

  9. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (17)carol

    Nothing with coconut. No. Not ever.

    Reply

  10. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (18)AnnW

    I think the fella's father looks more like Sean Connery. No Peter Falk involved. Maybe a little Peter O'Toole. Does he have a "true wife?"

    Reply

  11. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (19)Sara

    Blondies? No blondies? Only brownies. Huh. Martha Stewart had a recipe for Nutella blondies that sounded very nice. I'll be sure to not tell the fella's father if ever I decide to make them. :)

    Reply

  12. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (20)Another Karen

    These sound delicious! I'll make them next month when I return from vacation. I just hope I can cut a square squarely. Will it work if I make rectangles?

    Reply

  13. Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (21)rktrixy

    For those of us who are not Canadians (and sadder for it, I think) is custard powder the same as instant pudding?

    Just curious.

    Reply

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Classic Canadian Nanaimo Bar Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are Nanaimo bars called in the USA? ›

But neither Nanaimo's historical miners nor current residents have an exclusive relationship with the dessert; over the last century, similar sweets have popped up across North America, going by names like “New York slice,” “London fog bar” and “prayer bar.” Still, when it comes to branding, Nanaimo is the winner, bar ...

Are Nanaimo bars a Canadian thing? ›

The Nanaimo bar. It's a sweet treat made from chocolate, custard, coconut and walnuts. Love it or hate it, it's uniquely British Columbian.

Where is the original Nanaimo bar from? ›

This creamy, chocolatey treat's origin is elusive, shrouded in mystery, and claimed by many as their own. Of course, we know that Nanaimo Bars originated in Nanaimo, or they would be called New York Bars, or New Brunswick Bars.

What is a fun fact about Nanaimo bars? ›

It is named after Nanaimo, British Columbia, where it was popularized in the years following the Second World War. It subsequently rose to wider prominence after Expo 86. In 2006, the Nanaimo bar was declared Canada's favourite confection by a reader's poll in the National Post.

What is the old name for Nanaimo? ›

Letters for the settlement, previous to 1859, were usually addressed "Colville Town, Nanaimo, V. I." After that date the first name was gradually discontinued and has not been used since 1860.

What is the traditional name for Nanaimo? ›

History. The Indigenous peoples of the area that is now known as Nanaimo are the Snuneymuxw. An anglicised spelling and pronunciation of that word gave the city its current name.

What does the word Nanaimo mean? ›

Nanaimo is the corruption of the name they gave the area, meaning "gathering place." During 1792 the Spanish explorer Alejandro Malaspina dispatched the gallettes SUTIL AND MEXICANA, under the command of Alcalá-Galiano and Cayetano Valdés, to explore the Strait of Georgia.

Why are Nanaimo bars so good? ›

The trifecta of sugary deliciousness in the original Nanaimo bar is what gives it its unmistakable appearance and buttery-chocolate flavour explosion, but its eye-catching triple-layer design and no-bake assembly also make it an excellent springboard for tasty variations and original creations.

What is special about Nanaimo? ›

#10 Nanaimo's Natural Wonders

Common favourites include the tidal lagoon at Pipers Park, sandstone rock formations at Malaspina Galleries, the Abyss fault line, and Ammonite Falls.

What is another name for Nanaimo Bars? ›

They are referred to as the "chocolate square" or the "chocolate slice". Other unconfirmed references date the bar back to the 1930s, when it was said to be known locally as "chocolate fridge cake". One modern reference mentions the bars' existence in 19th century Nanaimo.

What is the worlds largest Nanaimo bar? ›

With help from their parents, who own the Northwest Fudge Factory in Levack, Ella, 10, and Austin, 5, have constructed a Nanaimo bar that weighs a whopping 530 pounds.

Do Nanaimo Bars expire? ›

Nanaimo bars keep well at room temperature for a couple of days, in the refrigerator for 5 days, or in the freezer for up to a month. You get the best mouthfeel if served at room temperature, but I am personally partial to an occasional frozen bar.

How much sugar is in a Nanaimo bar? ›

Nutritional information
Per 1 bar (53 g)
Calories 270% Daily Value*
Fibre 2 g7%
Sugars 22 g22%
Protein 1 g
9 more rows

Do Nanaimo Bars contain egg? ›

Add softened butter, sugar, cocoa and whisked egg to a saucepan and mix. Heat over medium-low heat and mix until smooth and the consistency of custard. Add vanilla and stir well. Remove from heat and stir in walnuts, coconut and wafer crumbs.

What are bars called in America? ›

Bars are sometimes taverns, watering holes, beer joints, dives, and saloons. They can occasionally be called pubs in the US, but they generally aren't.

What is Nanaimo city nickname? ›

We are indeed a harbour city nestled between the water and the hills. 'Welcome to Nanaimo: the Harbour City.” We have so much harbour that we've adopted it as our slogan.

What is a custard powder substitute? ›

Instead we would suggest replacing the custard powder with a combination of cornflour (cornstarch) and vanilla. For the sponge batter replace the 3 tablespoons of custard powder with 3 tablespoons of cornflour and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

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