Jul 16

Jul 16 Raw Caramel Bars

I have a nasty sweet craving every evening after dinner, I have my lovely fiancé to thank for that. So I've been trying to find ways to cure the sugar craving without resorting to processed sugars and treats, you know, so I can feel a little better about it :) Secondly, I love love love caramel so when these raw caramel bars started popping up in my feeds, I had to try to make them! And let me tell you, this is the most amazing caramel fake out ever, it squashes even the fiercest sweet craving with just a small square after dinner.

So here we go!

Equipment you'll need: a food processor, a 9x9 pan and parchment paper.

So this recipe is made of two layers, a crust and the caramel. For a lower calorie option you can make this without the crust.

Crust Ingredients:

1/2 cup Walnuts
1/2 cup Almonds
2 tbsp. Coconut Oil
2 tbsp. Maple Syrup
2 tbsp. Cacao Nibs (optional)

Caramel Ingredients:

2 cups Pitted Dates
1/2 cup Almond Milk
2 tbsp. Coconut Oil
1 1/2 tbsp. Almond Meal

Drizzle (Optional):

1 tbsp. Dark Chocolate Chips
1/2 tsp. Coconut Oil

Instructions:

Start with the crust-take all the dry ingredients and pulse them in a food processor. Then add wet ingredients and process until you get a fine gravel.
Use parchment paper to line a 9x9 pan and press your crust gravel into the parchment lined pan. Stick it in the freezer.
Meanwhile, put all of the caramel ingredients in a processor and process until thick and gooey and fully combined.
Take the crust out of the freezer and spoon the caramel on top of the crust spreading slowly and evenly over the crust. Pop it back in the freezer.
Take your chocolate chips and coconut oil and place in a bowl. Melt on low on the stovetop or in the microwave until the chips are soft and you can fully mix the oil and the chocolate together.
Remove the pan from the freezer and spoon drizzle the chocolate over the top of the caramel.
Test you patience for at least an hour to let the caramels chill and set. Use a very sharp wet knife and cut the caramel into bars of desired size.
Store in an airtight container in the freezer and grab a square whenever the sweet craving strikes.