Sunshine Coast-Style Nanaimo Bars

The classic Nanaimo bar, made with coconut and custard powder, has blackberries added to the middle layer.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Calories: 403 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• ½ cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup milk
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 12 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
• ⅓ cup butter at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons custard powder (such as Bird's® Custard Powder)
• ¼ cup blackberries

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Melt 1/2 cup of butter in a saucepan over low heat, and stir in the sugar and cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth. Whisk in egg and vanilla extract, remove from heat, and stir in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and walnuts until well combined. Press the mixture into a 9x9-inch square pan, and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.

Step 2

Place 1/3 cup of room temperature butter into a mixing bowl, and stir custard powder and milk into the butter to make a smooth, creamy mixture. Stir in confectioners' sugar, about 1 cup at a time, until the mixture is very smooth, with no lumps. Lightly stir in the blackberries. Spread the filling on the chilled crust in an even layer, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set up.

Step 3

Melt chocolate and 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over very low heat, stirring until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat, and pour over the filling layer, spreading the topping over the filling to cover completely. Return to refrigerator, and allow to set until firm, at least 30 minutes. To cut, dip a very sharp knife into boiling water, and cut into squares with the hot knife.