No Bake Crispy Peanut Butter Vanilla Nanimo Bars
Indulge in the perfect balance of creamy, crispy, and chocolaty with these No Bake Crispy Peanut Butter Vanilla Nanaimo Bars—an irresistible twist on the classic Canadian dessert! Featuring a no-bake graham cracker and crisped rice cereal base infused with rich cocoa and peanut butter, these bars are layered with a luscious vanilla custard-flavored filling and topped with a smooth semi-sweet chocolate layer. With just 25 minutes of prep time and no oven required, this easy dessert is ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions. Whether you're a fan of decadent no-bake treats or peanut butter and chocolate desserts, these Nanaimo bars are guaranteed to delight every sweet tooth. Perfect for sharing, holidays, or a quick indulgence, they’re as versatile as they are delicious!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup Unsalted butter
- 0.25 cup Granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons Cocoa powder
- 1 large Egg
- 1.5 cups Graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup Crisped rice cereal
- 0.5 cup Peanut butter (smooth)
- 0.5 cup Unsalted butter (for filling)
- 2 tablespoons Vanilla custard powder
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons Heavy cream
- 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter (for chocolate topping)
Instructions
Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, whisking until smooth.
Gradually whisk in the beaten egg, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
Stir in 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup crisped rice cereal, and 1/2 cup peanut butter. Mix until evenly combined.
Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan to form the base layer. Place the pan in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the filling.
In a mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup unsalted butter until creamy. Add 2 tablespoons vanilla custard powder and 2 cups powdered sugar, mixing until crumbly.
Gradually add 2 tablespoons heavy cream, beating until the filling becomes smooth and fluffy.
Spread the vanilla filling evenly over the chilled base layer. Return the pan to the refrigerator to set for about 15 minutes.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in 30-second increments, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
Pour the melted chocolate over the chilled filling layer and spread evenly with a spatula.
Chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate is set.
Using the parchment overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
355 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.2 g | 28% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.7 g | 59% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 113 mg | 5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 37.8 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.3 g | ||
| Protein | 4.0 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 14 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 83 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
