Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo Bars are something I had never heard of until I married my husband. But making them during the holidays has been a family tradition of his since forever, so it’s become our tradition too!

I made these Nanaimo Bars with my mother-in-law every December we lived in Utah until we moved away and I’m sharing our family recipe we’ve had for generations now- one of his sets of grandparents are from Canada and Nanaimo Bars are a Canadian dessert.

One unique ingredient included with the Nanaimo Bars is Bird’s Custard Powder. It’s not a normal staple ingredient, so it can sometimes be hard to find. That was my luck last Christmas and I couldn’t make this family recipe because I couldn’t find the custard powder here in Finland (shocking!). When we were last visiting America I ordered it on Amazon and brought it back to Finland with us.

I used to be able to buy Bird’s Custard Powder at the Macey’s grocery store in Utah but my sister couldn’t find it there so Amazon may be your best bet. Though I once saw it at an Indian/African grocery store in Helsinki too.

I read online that some people use instant vanilla pudding powder in the place of custard powder with good results but I haven’t ever tried that. If you do try it be sure to comment and let me know how it tastes!

Update: Since moving back to America I’ve seen Bird’s Custard Powder in the international section at Publix grocery stores!

The beauty of Nanaimo Bars lies in their simplicity:

The first layer combines butter, cocoa powder, sugar, oats, and graham cracker crumbs into a crunchy, chocolatey foundation.

Secondly comes the custard layer, made with custard powder (or instant pudding), butter, milk, and powdered sugar, creating a smooth, almost frosting-like consistency.

Finally, a luscious layer of melted chocolate and butter is spread on top, giving the bars their signature glossy finish.

The best part? These Nanaimo Bars don’t require baking, making them a hassle-free option for those who want a sweet bite without turning on the oven. Just chill each layer in the fridge for a bit, and you’ll be ready to slice into these decadent squares in no time.

Nanaimo Bars are perfect for holiday gatherings, picnics, or just a special dessert to enjoy at home. Whether you’re familiar with this Canadian classic or trying it for the first time, one bite will have you hooked, like I was when I was first introduced to them. So, grab your ingredients, mix up those layers, and treat yourself to this mouthwatering, no-bake delight!

Recipe first posted 12/20/19 and updated on 12/16/24.

Nanaimo Bars

Print Recipe

A 3-layered bar with chocolate, graham crackers, oats, frosting, custard, and more chocolate.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes active (+30 minutes in fridge)
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes active 30 minutes inactive
• Yield: 24 bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Layer 1:

1 cup butter

6 tablespoons cocoa powder

¾ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon. vanilla

1 cup oats (old fashioned or instant)

4 cups graham cracker crumbs

Layer 2:

6 tablespoons butter

5 ½ tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons Bird’s custard powder

3 cups powdered sugar

Layer 3:

4 tablespoons butter

1 cup (3oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Layer 1:

Over low heat, melt together butter, cocoa powder, and sugar. Whisk continuously until melted and mixed.

Remove from heat, add egg, and vanilla and stir well. Pour in oats and graham cracker crumbs and stir together. Press into a 9 x 13 pan and chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.

Layer 2:

Using a handheld mixer, cream together the butter and custard powder until creamy. Add milk and powdered sugar and blend to a frosting consistency. Spread over layer 1 and chill in fridge for at least 15 minutes. I prefer letting this sit for an hour, covered, in the fridge.

Layer 3:

Melt butter and chocolate chips together in a mixing bowl at 50% power in 30-second increments. Stir in between each 30 second cook time. This will take about 90-120 seconds. Do not over cook. Pour over layer 2 and spread evenly. Cover and chill until serving.

Cut into squares or bars to serve.

Notes

Step-by-step pictures and Frequently Asked Questions below recipe card.

You can halve this recipe and make in an 8×8 or 9×9 pan.

Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

Keywords: Nanaimo Bars, christmas dessert, layer dessert, easy dessert, Canadian dessert

Frequently Asked Questions – Nanaimo Bars