This Raw Caramel Bite Recipe is Chewy, Gooey, and So Darn Good For You

This article is shared with permission from our friends at foodmatters.tv.

We love a good sweet from time to time, and while raw desserts are often touted ‘healthy’ they are still high in natural sugars and energy so they should still be considered a treat. The trick is, though, most desserts can be created in a healthier way using mother nature’s ingredients and minimal processing. That’s where the goodness is!

So next time you want Caramel Slice, ditch the tinned caramel sauce, packaged biscuits and evaporated milk and swap to these more natural options. This caramel is nutrient dense with superfoods like tahini, dates and coconut oil.

Your New Favorite Healthy Dessert

Tahini

If you’ve ever tried Middle Eastern cuisine, then you’re probably familiar with tahini. Made from sesame seeds, this peanut butter-like condiment is commonly found in dips like hummus and baba ghanoush.

While sesame seeds have a lot to offer our health, our bodies don’t typically absorb the nutrients they have to provide well when they are consumed in seed form due their hard outer layer. Thus, breaking these seeds down and adding them to our diet in the form of a tahini paste allows us to better absorb the nutrients, similar to juicing.

Health benefits of tahini include:

Lowers cholesterol as well as the risk for heart disease and stroke
Offers protection against hormone-related cancers
Rich source of magnesium, which contributes to bone health

Consuming tahini has been found to reduce pain associated with knee osteoarthritis

Dates

Dates also come with a host of health benefits, including:

Relieve constipation, diarrhea, intestinal disorders and abdominal cancer

Provide us with essential nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese and iron
Dates have a lower glycemic index than table sugar so they won’t spike your blood sugar levels

Coconut Oil

It’s no secret that coconut oil can benefit our health in a number of ways. To recap, some of these benefits include:

Rich source of medium chain fatty acids, which are more easily converted into energy, allowing our bodies to burn more calories aiding with weight loss
Contains anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties
Improves cholesterol levels and prevents cardiovascular disease

Has been found to boost brain function, delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s diease

These bites will satisfy your cravings for caramel without the corn syrup, cream and sugar!

Naughty but Nice: Raw Caramel Slice

Ingredients: Base

1/2 cup almonds

1/2 cup Medjool dates (pitted) Approx. 6 dates
2 tbsp melted coconut oil
1/4 cup raw cacao powder

Instructions:

Using a food processor, process base ingredients until a sticky crumble forms. Spread evenly over a lined dish (we have used a square dish or a smaller rectangle dish). Place into freezer while you make caramel layer.

Ingredients: Caramel Layer

1 cup Medjool dates (pitted), approx. 10 dates
1/2 cup melted coconut oil

4 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

Process in food processor until smooth and creamy. Spread evenly over base and replace into the freezer to set for 20-30 minutes.

Ingredients: Top Choc Layer

1/4 cup raw cacao powder
1/4 cup melted coconut oil

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, mix chocolate ingredients together well with whisk. Pour evenly over caramel layer and place back in the freezer to set for 10 minutes.
Remove caramel slice from the freezer 5-10 minutes before wanting to serve up. Slice and devour straight away! Or slice, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months for a treat when the moment hits.