Nanaimo bars: Yum. Is this Canadian dessert treat popular in Seattle? (Vancouver: sales, home)

[bostonguy1960]

On my trip to Seattle and Portland in fall 2012, I was delighted and surprised to find Nanaimo bars at major supermarket bakeries. I never had a chance to check if local mom and pop bakeries made them, but I do miss them living in Boston.

My mom is from Quebec province, so she and her sisters made them and included them on their homemade cookies tray. I'd grab a Nanaimo bar over a cookie every time!

It appears the first official recipe was submitted in the 1950s, so my mother never enjoyed them in Quebec province as a girl in the 1920s and 1930s. But, maybe they really do date back unofficially to the early 1900s, at least in the British Columbia city of Nanaimo? My research mentioned it's the third largest city in B C. Worth a visit?

I like the traditional variety with the light yellow filling, though I've seen light green mint and other flavors. I assume nuts are generally not part of the recipe? I saw a small bakery in the Toronto, Ontario, subway system which had them, back 20 years sgo.

I saw them off and on a few years ago at a local supermarket dessert case in Boston, but never at their less upscale stores in the chain. The manager told me a lady buys them all up when they're ordered.

My research says it's the state of Washington's favorite dessert?

Can you find them in most bakeries, bake sales and even sporting events? Also in Oregon and eastern Washington? I saw them at Fred Meyer and QFC, and maybe Safeway.

I love looking at photos of them on the internet. So pathetic...but I haven't had one since 2012!

[Hemlock140]

I have been here in WA for 23 years and we go to Canada at least 2-3 times a year, and I have never heard of them. So, in my opinion, the answer would be no. Based on my own experience, I would say that Chocolate and Raspberries are the most popular dessert ingredients here, and lately, the most popular based on stores always being low or out of them, is the It's-It ice cream/cookie sandwich. Though they are from San Francisco, many of us are from the Bay Area and grew up with them. Doing a little research, I see that Starbucks sells the Nanaimo bars, that may be why they are popular, but I prefer good coffee so haven't been there lately to see them.

[bostonguy1960]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I have been here in WA for 23 years and we go to Canada at least 2-3 times a year, and I have never heard of them. So, in my opinion, the answer would be no. Based on my own experience, I would say that Chocolate and Raspberries are the most popular dessert ingredients here, and lately, the most popular based on stores always being low or out of them, is the It's-It ice cream/cookie sandwich. Though they are from San Francisco, many of us are from the Bay Area and grew up with them. Doing a little research, I see that Starbucks sells the Nanaimo bars, that may be why they are popular, but I prefer good coffee so haven't been there lately to see them.

Wow... Starbucks sells them!? Well, at least in your area. Our Starbucks has the same tired select of some pastries, like the Michigan Cherry Oats bar which I saw in Starbucks Pioneer Square in Portland in 2012 when I also discovered them in Boston.

So I guess some products are national and some Starbucks items are local

Oh yes, I do recall the "It's it" ice cream novelty on my last Bay Area trip over 15 years ago. I think I found them at 7-11. Loved them! Another item we don't have in the Northeast; it's nice that there are still local and regional treats. I had totally forgotten about them! Thanks for the memory.

[mishigas73]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

Can you find them in most bakeries, bake sales and even sporting events? Also in Oregon and eastern Washington? I saw them at Fred Meyer and QFC, and maybe Safeway.

I love looking at photos of them on the internet. So pathetic...but I haven't had one since 2012!

I don't recall seeing them around where I'm at in the north end of the Puget Sound. But, honestly, they are not that difficult to make. The recipe that I have used does call for almonds, but I usually skip those.

[flyingsaucermom]

I'm trying to think back to last month when I brought a bunch of treats from PCC (Puget Consumer Coop) home to a couple of birthday boys.. I know one of them was a bar and in general terms it had the same sort of alternating black white, black white layers. What I can't remember is if it was a cream cheese filling or butter cream?... seems to me that the question is integral to the matter of discerning a Nanaimo bar from a simple cheesecake bar...

In any case: I've seen these around.

[pikabike]

Aldrich's in Port Townsend sells them, and they are very good indeed. Theirs have ganache on top, fluffy yellow vanilla in the middle, and a coconut-graham bottom.

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

On my trip to Seattle and Portland in fall 2012, I was delighted and surprised to find Nanaimo bars at major supermarket bakeries. I never had a chance to check if local mom and pop bakeries made them, but I do miss them living in Boston.
My mom is from Quebec province, so she and her sisters made them and included them on their homemade cookies tray. I'd grab a Nanaimo bar over a cookie every time!
It appears the first official recipe was submitted in the 1950s, so my mother never enjoyed them in Quebec province as a girl in the 1920s and 1930s. But, maybe they really do date back unofficially to the early 1900s, at least in the British Columbia city of Nanaimo? My research mentioned it's the third largest city in B C. Worth a visit?
I like the traditional variety with the light yellow filling, though I've seen light green mint and other flavors. I assume nuts are generally not part of the recipe? I saw a small bakery in the Toronto, Ontario, subway system which had them, back 20 years sgo.
I saw them off and on a few years ago at a local supermarket dessert case in Boston, but never at their less upscale stores in the chain. The manager told me a lady buys them all up when they're ordered.
My research says it's the state of Washington's favorite dessert?
Can you find them in most bakeries, bake sales and even sporting events? Also in Oregon and eastern Washington? I saw them at Fred Meyer and QFC, and maybe Safeway.
I love looking at photos of them on the internet. So pathetic...but I haven't had one since 2012!

Definitely worth a visit, but as part of a larger area, namely Vancouver Island.
Start with Victoria, then drive up the Malahat to Nanaimo, with stops all along the way.
It's gorgeous!!!

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I have been here in WA for 23 years and we go to Canada at least 2-3 times a year, and I have never heard of them. So, in my opinion, the answer would be no. Based on my own experience, I would say that Chocolate and Raspberries are the most popular dessert ingredients here, and lately, the most popular based on stores always being low or out of them, is the It's-It ice cream/cookie sandwich. Though they are from San Francisco, many of us are from the Bay Area and grew up with them. Doing a little research, I see that Starbucks sells the Nanaimo bars, that may be why they are popular, but I prefer good coffee so haven't been there lately to see them.

I don't like Starbucks coffee either, but Nanaimo bars are really good. But I wonder: Can you actually find them in Nanaimo? Can you find English muffins in England?

[Thom52]

we have bought them in Kirkland on a regular basis. They are an awesome treat.

Central Oregon does not seem to have them though. :-(

[Upthewazzu]

You can get them at Paradise Creek Brewery in Pullman, WA. The head chef used to own Swilly's, but that closed down and the menu was transferred to PCB.