Nanaimo bars are a classic Canadian dessert named after Nanaimo, right here on Vancouver Island. Traditional Nanaimo bars are rich, sweet and delicious, and this no-bake version offers a different take using almonds, dates, cashews, coconut, cocoa and honey.
This recipe is still a dessert, but it uses simple ingredients and is easy to make ahead and keep in the freezer. If you enjoy rich chocolate treats and want a homemade alternative to the traditional version, this one is worth trying.
Raw Nanaimo Bars
Base Layer: Chocolate Crust
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- ½ cup soaked dates
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- pinch of salt
Middle Layer: Cream
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ½ cup soaked cashews
- 3 tablespoons honey
- a few drops of stevia, optional
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Top Layer: Chocolate Topping
- ½ cup soaked cashews
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup honey
- a few drops of stevia, optional
Directions
- Place all the base-layer ingredients in a food processor and blend until the mixture begins to hold together. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.
- Press the mixture firmly into an 8 × 8-inch baking pan.
- Add all the middle-layer ingredients to the food processor and blend until smooth. Spread evenly over the base.
- Blend the top-layer ingredients until smooth, then spread over the middle layer.
- Place the pan in the freezer for 1 to 3 hours, or until firm enough to slice.
- Cut into bars and serve.
- Store leftovers in the freezer.
A Few Notes About the Ingredients
Dates and honey provide sweetness, while almonds, cashews and coconut add texture and richness. Because honey, dates and other natural sweeteners still contain sugar, I prefer to think of this recipe as a different style of dessert rather than a “sugar-free” or automatically healthier one.
The nuts and seeds also provide nutrients such as protein, fat, magnesium and other minerals, but the main reason to make these bars is simple: they taste good and are a fun homemade version of a Nanaimo classic.
If you use stevia, start with a very small amount and adjust to taste, since different products vary quite a bit in sweetness.
More Choose2be Recipes
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like Easy No-Cook Granola Bars, No-Cook Peanut Butter Cake, Mexican-Style Zucchini Lasagna and Cookie Dough Energy Balls.
