Nanaimo bar facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Mabel’s Favourite Bars |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | Canada |
| Region or state | Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada |
| Main ingredients | Crumb, icing, chocolate |
| Variations | Many types of crumb and icing |
The Nanaimo bar is a yummy dessert that doesn't need baking! It's named after Nanaimo, a city in British Columbia, Canada. This sweet treat has three layers. The bottom layer is a crumbly base made of wafers, nuts, and coconut. The middle is a creamy custard icing. On top, there's a smooth chocolate ganache layer.
You can find many kinds of Nanaimo bars. They might have different crumbs, icing flavors like peanut butter, or various types of chocolate.
Contents
How the Nanaimo Bar Started
The first time the name "Nanaimo bars" appeared in a cookbook was in 1953. It was in the Edith Adams' prize cookbook. However, the same recipe was printed earlier that year in The Vancouver Sun. Back then, it was called a "London Fog Bar."
Another recipe, called "Mabel's Squares," was printed in 1954. It was very similar to the Nanaimo bar we know today. Even earlier, in 1952, a cookbook from the Nanaimo Hospital had recipes for "chocolate squares" or "chocolate slices." These were almost exactly like modern Nanaimo bars.
Some people think the bar might have existed in the 1930s. It was supposedly known as "chocolate fridge cake" back then.
Why Nanaimo Bars Are Popular
People in Nanaimo really love this dessert! They even helped it get voted "Canada's Favourite Confection" in a survey. In 1985, the mayor of Nanaimo, Graeme Roberts, held a contest. He wanted to find the very best Nanaimo bar recipe. A local resident named Joyce Hardcastle won the contest.
The Nanaimo bar became famous all across Canada after Expo 86. This big event highlighted it as a classic Canadian dessert.
You can find similar desserts in other places. But the name "Nanaimo bar" is uniquely Canadian. It's even in the Canadian Oxford Dictionary.
Nanaimo Bars on TV and at Dinners
The TV show MasterChef Canada once had a challenge where contestants made desserts inspired by Nanaimo bars. This shows how well-known they are!
In 2016, Nanaimo bars were served at a special dinner. This dinner was hosted by then-US President Barack Obama for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The dessert was presented on a plate that looked like the Rocky Mountains.
Nanaimo Bars on Stamps
In 2019, Canada Post released special postage stamps. These stamps celebrated Canadian desserts and sweets. The booklet of 10 stamps featured images of the Nanaimo bar, the butter tart, and other tasty treats. The stamps were designed to look like a recipe card.
Images for kids
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Close-up
See also
In Spanish: Barra de Nanaimo para niños
