Every once in a while, when I get a craving for something sweet, I treat myself to a Nanaimo Bar… not the city. 😉
These rich, no-bake bars are named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, but they’ve earned their fame far beyond the island.
Three dreamy layers:
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Bottom layer: A chewy-crunchy mix of chocolate, coconut, crushed graham crackers, and nuts.
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Middle layer: A creamy, custard-flavoured buttery icing.
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Top layer: Melted chocolate.
Five fun facts about Nanaimo Bars:
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They are sweet!
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They’re named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia.
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On March 5, 2020, a family from Levack, Ontario set the Guinness World Record with a 531 lb Nanaimo Bar.
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On June 30, 2025, that same family is going for an unofficial 1,200 lb bar.
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On May 17, 2025, students at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, BC baked a 70 foot, 1,100 lb bar. That’s a lot!
Did I mention? They are sweet!
My mom used to make these as a special treat, and honestly... you couldn’t stop at just one. Your sweet tooth would go into overdrive. One time, while visiting my sister (who lives in Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island), they served us Nanaimo Bars at the Welcome Centre. That reminded me... I really need to get back out there and visit that Welcome Centre… and oh yeah, my sister too. 😄