Classic, no-bake Nanaimo bars with a chocolate coconut base, custard buttercream filling, and a layer of chocolate on top. Learn how to make this iconic Canadian dessert – with or without custard powder.

If you’ve never tried Nanaimo bars – you are seriously missing out. They’re an easy, no-bake bar with 3 layers of deliciousness.

The base has tons of texture and flavor thanks to graham crumbs, coconut, and chopped walnuts.
The middle layer is a thick and creamy buttercream with a vanilla custard flavor.
Then the bars are topped with semi-sweet chocolate.
As a Canadian, Nanaimo bars always have a place on my Christmas baking tray. But you can also find these delicious treats at just about any bakery or grocery store. They’re very sweet, very delicious, and a retro dessert that just about everyone’s grandma made.

NANAIMO BARS – A HISTORY LESSON
Nanaimo bars – pronounced NA-NYE-MOE – are named after the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia on the west coast of Canada. The origin of the bars is unknown – but the first time they appeared in a cookbook was in 1953. In 1985 the mayor of Nanaimo held a competition for the ultimate Nanaimo bar recipe – and today – most Nanaimo bar recipes you find are based on the winner, Joyce Hardcastle’s, concoction.