If you’re looking for a new dessert to add to your keto diet, you might want to check out this delicious keto recipe for Nanaimo bars.
This bar dessert, which originated from the Canadian city of Nanaimo where it got its name from, requires no baking. It consists of three layers of wafer, nuts, and coconut crumbs, with custard icing in the middle and a layer of chocolate ganache on top.
For this low carb Nanaimo Bar almond flour is used for the crust, sugar-free dark chocolate for the ganache, cream, butter and eggs pastry cream replaces the “custard” and it’s sweetened with Swerve low carb sweetener.
Although there is a rather long list of ingredients in this recipe from Carolyn, of All Day I Dream About Food, it’s actually quite quick and easy to put together.
It tastes just as good as the real thing, so it’s the perfect dessert or snack to indulge in if you find yourself craving for something sweet while on the keto diet.
Other delicious recipes for bars you might like to try are:
Keto Lemon Bars
Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Recipe notes
I’ve tweaked the recipe ingredients slightly to include grass-fed butter and organic or pastured eggs because they contain a better range of nutrients so are healthier than non-organic versions.
I’ve also suggested Redmond Real salt because although I used to recommend Himalayan salt I read recently that some researchers found plastic microfibers in it. I was amazed because it is supposed to come from an ancient sea bed formed long before plastic was invented.
I see however that David Asprey is still recommending Himalayan salt and I can’t now lay my hands on the article I read about it containing microplastic. Although researchers don’t know for sure what harm it may do to us there is research on animals that shows:
microplastics contributed to metabolic disorders and toxic effects in the liver.
It is quite likely that it will have the same effect on humans. You don’t want to be using any other sea salt or regular table salt either. As well as containing microplastic table salt can contain unhealthy additives you don’t want in your body.
Keto Recipe for Nanaimo Bars
Ingredients
makes 16 bars
Pastry Cream
- ⅔ cup organic whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 1 ½ tbsp grass-fed butter cut into two pieces
- 2 organic/pastured egg yolks
- 1 pinch Redmond real salt
- ½ tsp natural vanilla extract
Crust
- ½ cup grass-fed butter
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup Swerve Sweetener
- 1 cup almond flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 organic/pastured egg beaten
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 tsp. natural vanilla extract
Vanilla Filling
- 4 oz. organic cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup softened grass-fed butter
- Pastry cream
- 6 tbsp powdered Swerve Sweetener
Chocolate Topping
- 3 oz. sugar-free dark chocolate such as Lily’s
- 2 tbsp grass-fed butter
Directions
Pastry Cream:
1. Place a saucepan over medium heat, pour in the whipping cream, and bring to a simmer.
2. Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl, and add the sweetener and salt. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
3. Slowly and carefully whisk half the hot whipping cream into the yolks to prevent them curdling. Then stir this mixture back into the remaining whipping cream in the saucepan. Cook, whisking continuously, for 3 – 4 minutes until the mixture becomes thick and glossy.
4. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla and butter, then leave the pastry cream to cool.
Crust:
1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat and stir in the cocoa powder and Swerve sweetener. Slowly whisk in the egg .
2. Stir constantly while cooking the ingredients until the mixture becomes thick. Remove from heat and add the almond flour, vanilla, nuts, and shredded coconut. Spoon the crust mixture into a 8″ x 8″ square pan. Refrigerate until the crust firms up.
Filling:
1. Beat together the butter and cream cheese until very smooth. Add the pastry cream and mix well until well combined. Then add the powdered Swerve sweetener and mix in well.
2. Spread the filling on top of the crust.
3. Put into the fridge for at least an hour until firm.
Chocolate Topping:
1. Place the butter and chopped sugar-free dark chocolate bar in a heat-proof bowl over a pan of just simmering water. Stir until melted.
2. Spread the chocolate topping over the filling and allow to set. Using a very sharp knife cut into 16 squares. Enjoy!
Check out Carolyn’s video demo for this keto recipe for Nanaimo bars.
