Plant-Based Nanaimo Bars
The Nanaimo Bar is a classic Canadian treat that we have found just about everywhere we go during our travels in Canada. I was able to sample a few vegan versions while we were in Toronto to get a solid idea of what these bars are all about so I could create this whole food plant-based version!
Ingredients
Base
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ cup shredded coconut unsweetened,
- ½ cup deglet dates or medjool
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 4 tbsp water
Custard
- 1 cup cashews
- ⅓ cup dates
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ cup water
Ganache
- ¾ cup deglet dates or medjool
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup cashews
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup water hot
Instructions
Base
- Add ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until mixture is a uniform crumble and sprinkle in water 1 tbsp at a time until mixture clumps together.
- Press this mixture into the bottom of a parchment lined 9 x 9 inch baking dish.
Custard
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until mixture is silky smooth.
- Pour mixture into a saucepan and cook on low/medium heat until mixture thickens, stirring with a whisk while cooking to keep it from burning to the bottom or becoming lumpy.
- Once custard is thickened, pour over the base in the baking dish and smooth the top.
- Place in fridge for at least 2 hours to set up.
Ganache
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until very smooth.
- Pour mixture over the set custard layer and smooth the top.
- Place back in the fridge to set the ganache slightly until ready to serve.
- Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
In the video I made a mistake with the ganache layer. I used 1 cup of hot water instead of 1/2 cup. If you have already made the bar, the measurement mistake won’t ruin the bar, the ganache layer will just be a creamy layer.
Nutrition
Calories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 6gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 369mgFiber: 5gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg
Oh Jill! You have done it again! These are a favorite around here.
While the video highlights a beautiful and serene side of Canada, it overlooks some of the serious socio-political and safety challenges the country is currently facing. People who plan to travel there may be surprised to experience a different reality than the one portrayed. Many residents feel that current issues surrounding immigration and public safety are not being adequately addressed by law enforcement, painting a very different picture from the idealized version shown here.what is shown here.
Looks delicious.
The recipe doesn’t specify… when you measure your dates are they whole or chopped?
They are whole
I made these exactly to the recipe because I’ve never tried real nanaimo bars and I was curious. True to my understanding of Canadian desserts, these are RICH! They were easy to make and I like them, my only complaint is that I can taste the turmeric and it gives them the teensiest bitter edge; I know it’s there for color and I’ll probably leave it out next time. Great recipe.
Well, these are magical. I actually tripled the recipe and made it in a big sheet pan because we love your dessert recipes and let me tell you, this recipe is definitely worth the effort. Thanks for sharing!!
So glad you enjoyed it!