This No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake has all of the familiar flavors of the classic Nanaimo bar but in an easy no bake cheesecake! The perfect Christmas dessert (but I won't tell if you indulge year round!). Includes step by step recipe video.
3packages cream cheese(24 oz or 750 grams total) room temperature
½cupBird's custard powder
1cupheavy whipping cream35%
1 ½cupspowdered sugar
Ganache
¾cupfinely chopped dark chocolate 1 100g bar
⅓cupheavy cream
Instructions
Nanaimo Bar Crust
In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and cocoa.
Gradually whisk in egg, stirring constantly. The heat from the pan and the butter will cook the egg as you stir (no raw eggs!).
Stir in graham crumbs, almonds, and coconut until combined. Press firmly into a 9" Springform pan.
Cheesecake Filling
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
Add custard powder and sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
In a separate bowl, whip cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Add to cream cheese mixture in two batches, beating on low to combine after each addition.
Spread on top of the crust and refrigerate until the ganache is ready.
Ganache
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and cream in 15-20 second intervals, stirring well each time, until smooth (be careful NOT to overheat the chocolate or it will seize!) -- I only had to do this twice. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes.
Remove cheesecake from the fridge and pour over top, smoothing to the edges. Refrigerate until completely set, at least 8hours or overnight, before serving. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3-4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
Ingredients and Substitutions:
Crust: I cannot recommend any crust substitutions as I have not tested them, but you are welcome to experiment with more or less of the dry ingredients if need be.
Cream cheese: because this is a pretty thick cheesecake, you can get away with using light cream cheese if you desire.
Bird's Custard Powder: sorry, there isn't a subtitute for this or it wouldn't be Nanaimo Bar! If you know, you know 😉