The Real Canadian Recipes You’ve Got to Try!
By Rebecca St.Clair
While many non-Canadians and Canadians alike might struggle to come up with specifically Canadian recipes beyond maple syrup and poutine, there are so many delicious Canadian recipes out there that you need to try at least once!
As a person born and raised in Canada, I didn’t even realize that some of these classic recipes where Canadian, because it’s just food that we eat, who knew the rest of the world was missing out on classics like butter tarts and Nanaimo bars!
Hosting a Canada Day party or want to try food from the great white north, you’ve got to try these classic Canadian recipes. So dust of your apron and let’s dig into some of my favourite classically Canadian recipes!
Nova Scotia Brown Bread
While popular all over the east coast of Canada, this oatmeal brown bread recipe, flavoured with molasses is an iconic and delicious bread recipe that you’ve got to try!
This hardy flavourful bread, is now loved all over, due to it’s simplicity, depth of flavour, and rich caramel colour.
Rich Nanaimo Bars
Nanaimo Bars are a temptingly sweet no-bake dessert bar with a dense chocolate and graham cracker brownie like base, a soft sugary custard filling, and a silky smooth rich chocolate top.
This iconic Canadian treat is super rich and decadent. A definite must try!
Snow Rolled Maple Taffy
I’m not sure if there is anything more classically Canadian than maple syrup and snow.
With this tire d’érable you can bring a taste of the cabane à sucre right to your own home, this is a perfect treat and a delicious way to embrace Canada’s natural beauty.
Classic French Canadian Pea Soup
A thick and velvety pea soup, infused with a rich, meaty flavour. Soupe aux pois is a quintessential Québécois dish that celebrates the simplicity and heartiness of French Canadian cooking.
Serve this comforting dinner with a side of crusty bread for the perfect winter warm up meal.
Gooey Butter Tarts
Make these with a thick or runny filling, with nuts, raisins, or plain. Butter tarts are an fan favourite treat that is quick and easy to make at home.
These butter tarts have a rich, gooey, centre with sweet and chewy caramelized sugar top. The sweet, smooth, and sticky centre can even be flavoured with maple!
Rustic Canadian Bannock Loaf
A traditional Canadian bread. This bannock is golden and slightly crispy on the outside, while the inside stays light and tender.
Bannock was an easy staple and hearty bread to make for Canadian fur trappers. It is quick and easy to make and bake over an open fire.
Canadian Bacon Breakfast Strata
While this is more commonly called peameal bacon, this make ahead breakfast casserole is warm, cozy, and comforting.
Topped with a generous dusting of crisp and crunchy toasted cereal for the perfect balance of flavour and texture.
Classic Vintage Date Squares
Soft, chewy dates layered between a soft, buttery oat crumble. The sweet, sticky filling is perfectly balanced with the lightly crisp oat topping.
While these are not nearly as popular now, these vintage recipe is due for a come back!
Controversial Hawaiian Pizza
This sweet and salty homemade pizza is packed with big and bold flavours. Topped with savoury sliced ham and sweet, sticky caramelized pineapple, all browned to pizza perfection. Although it’s called Hawaiian pizza, this is a classic Canadian creation.
Classic Maple Fudge
This vintage maple fudge is sinfully sweet and full of delicious flavour. Luscious and silky, this fudge blends the deep rich taste of pure maple syrup with a velvety finish that lingers long after the last bite.
This is a staple Canadian treat that you can buy in most little gift shops and with this recipe, you can make your own right at home!
Easy Butter Tart Squares
These easy butter tart squares are the perfect shortcut to a nostalgic Canadian treat. They’ve got all the richness of traditional butter tarts but come together easily in one pan. All you need to do is slice them into bitesized squares.
Since Canada is a huge country there are so many options from coast to coast that are absolutely delicious and waiting for you to discover!
What is your favourite Canadian recipe?
