Nanaimo Bar No-Bake Cheesecake (in jam jars)

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All the flavour of a traditional Nanaimo Bar, in an easy no-bake cheesecake. Served up in individual jam jars, they're easy to transport and serve, and they look cute too.

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook time: n/a

Servings: 12

Ingredients

Crust

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 4 tbsp cocoa

• 1 egg beaten

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs

• 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds

• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Filling:

• 3 packages cream cheese (8 oz)

• 1/2 cup Bird’s custard powder

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream 35%

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Ganache

• 3/4 cup (100 g) finely chopped dark chocolate

• 1/3 cup heavy cream
  

Directions

Prepare the jars

1. Gather and clean wide-mouth 12 jam jars with lids and collars.

Crust / bottom layer

1. In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and cocoa.

2. Gradually whisk in egg, stirring constantly. The heat from the pan and the butter will cook the egg as you stir.

3. Stir in graham crumbs, almonds, and coconut until combined.

4. Scoop even amounts into the bottom of the jars with a cookie scoop or tablespoon. Press lightly to create a mostly flat bottom layer (don't press too firmly or it will be difficult to scoop out).

Filling / middle layer

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.

2. Add custard powder, cream and sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Scoop filling into a piping page or large freezer zipper bag with a hole snipped in one corner, and pipe en even amount of filling into each jar. Use a spoon to gently spread the filling to create a mostly flat top.

3. Put jars in the fridge to chill while you make the ganache (about 15 min).

Ganache / top layer

1. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and cream in 15-20 second intervals, stirring well each time, until smooth.

2. When chilled, remove jars from the fridge and drizzle/pour ganache on the top of each. Sprinkle with coconut or chocolate shavings. Top with lids and return to the fridge for 4-5 hrs before serving.

Zhuzh it up!

• Depending on the size of your jars, you may want to serve it with long-handled dessert spoons in order to dig all the way down and get all the layers in every bite!

This amazing recipe was adapted from the No-Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake recipe on reciperebel.com.