Healthy Caramel Slices
Would you believe me if I told you you can make healthy caramel slices without having to use flour, sugar, oil or butter? Not only can it be done, but they will be out of this world delicious! You won’t even be able to tell that they’re healthy!
Now just because I use the word ‘healthy’ doesn’t mean these healthy caramel slices are low in natural sugars, fats and calories. However; these sugars, fats and calories are good for you…every single mouth full! When I say they’re not low in calories, they’re also not exceedingly high either, with each slice containing around 200 calories instead of close to 400 if you were to eat the ‘real’ thing.
Every single ingredient used to make these healthy caramel slices is good for your mind and body. Not to mention your taste buds!
I used my Froothie Optimum 9400 powerful blender for the base and caramel layers, both of which took a couple of minutes of blending time. If you’re using a less powerful food processor you may have to keep it going for longer, particularly the caramel layer. I made this recipe a few times with my Kenwood food processor and over all it took about 20 minutes as I had to keep pausing to scrap the caramel down the sides. I don’t want to put you off but just wanted you to be aware that it may require a little patience depending on the food processor/blender you’re using!
Instead of using flour for the base, I used a mixture of nuts and coconut flour to create a delicate, soft base that still holds together well.
For the caramel base, no sugar or condensed milk was needed, all the sweetness came from 1 humble fruit, dates, which already have their natural sugars and are high in fiber and vitamins. The use of coconut oil and cashew butter give them a velvety richness and of course add to the overall nutritional value of the slices. To decorate, I’m using some amazing activated nuts from Raw Ecstasy activating nuts makes them easier to digest and I think also adds something to their flavour.
To keep these healthy caramel slices vegan and dairy free, I made a chocolate layer using coconut oil, cocoa and rice syrup…it tastes so good!
These slices are also gluten-free and sugar-free.
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Made these tonight and they taste great. The coconut flavour from the oil is quite strong though, so not one for coconut haters. Definitely a treat, despite being far more nutritious than a Dairy Milk
You can get organic odourless coconut oil that won’t have any coconut aftertaste, which works best for recipes like this 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it anyway.
Hi Nadia,
Made this recipe on the weekend, and it was so delicious!
I didn’t have any cashew butter so substituted it for homemade peanut putter, and it worked so well!
Thanks so much for the recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it Ellice 🙂 I need to try it with peanut butter next time, although the flavour does tend to dominate.
Hi Nadia, what are the nutritionals on these?
I’ve updated the post with the estimated nutritional information 🙂
Seriously the best thing I’ve ever tasted. It’s so hard not to eat the tray.
Thank you Michelle! So glad you liked it 😀
Made this for a work colleagues birthday, who can’t have gluten or dairy and it was a major hit. I did change the pecans for macadamias as she also couldn’t eat pecans. One team member commented ‘OMG, it’s not real caramel!’ Definitely recommend as it was super easy and yummy. Some in the team even had two bits and the bday girl was super happy 😉
Thank you so much for your feedback Dawn 🙂 I’m so glad you and your work colleagues enjoyed them 😀 😀 😀
Ladies, the coconut oil that has the coconut flavor removed, is unrefined coconut oil. It should say so on the label. These are amazing.