Nanaimo Bars
This recipe is heavily based on a recipe from the Hebridean Baker, but uses a corn free custard layer of our own.
Ingredients
Biscuit base
Corn-free custard filling
Chocolate topping
Instructions
Biscuit base
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Set a heatproof bowl over gently simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
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Add the butter, sugar, and cocoa powder and stir until smooth. Gradually whisk in the beaten egg and continue cooking for about 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the mixture thickens slightly.
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Remove from the heat. Stir in the crushed digestive biscuits, coconut, and chopped almonds until everything is evenly coated.
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Press firmly into the prepared pan, getting the surface as level as possible. Refrigerate for about 10–15 minutes, or until firm.
Corn-free custard filling
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Beat the softened butter until smooth and fluffy.
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Beat in the heavy cream, dry milk, vanilla, salt, and optional turmeric.
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Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until light, smooth, and fluffy.
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Spread evenly over the chilled biscuit layer.
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Refrigerate for 30–45 minutes. I’d give this layer considerably longer than the 10 minutes in the original recipe because our filling is softer and creamier than a custard-powder buttercream. You want it quite firm before adding warm chocolate.
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For homemade corn-free powdered sugar: pulverize 240 g granulated sugar + 2 tsp tapioca starch or potato starch in a high-speed blender until very fine and powdery.
Chocolate topping
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Melt the chocolate and butter together gently, either over a double boiler or in short microwave bursts, stirring frequently until completely smooth.
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Let it cool for a few minutes — warm and pourable, but not hot. That will help prevent it from melting the custard layer underneath.
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Pour over the chilled custard filling and spread quickly into an even layer.
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Refrigerate until completely firm, about 2 hours.
Cutting
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Lift the slab from the pan using the parchment. For cleaner cuts, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before slicing.
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Use a large sharp knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry between cuts. Cut into 16 squares.
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One small tweak I particularly like here
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Because the original base is quite substantial — 200 g biscuit + 100 g coconut + 50 g almonds — I think our 1/2-cup-butter custard batch is about right. It should give you that visually distinct creamy middle layer without overwhelming the chocolate/coconut base.
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And this version should still look very much like the Hebridean Baker’s bar in your photo, just with our corn-free custard layer instead of commercial custard powder.
