I’m super excited to share one of my absolute favorite treats with you: homemade salted chocolate date protein caramels! These little bites of goodness are the perfect blend of indulgence and nutrition, and they are so easy to make. Trust me, once you try them, you will be hooked!
Chocolate and caramel is a match made in heaven – there is something about the sweetness and subtle saltiness of the caramel marrying with the richness of the chocolate. This the easiest caramel recipe you will make. Just a handful of ingredients, 5-ish minutes of prep time, and voila! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. LOL
What goes better together than chocolate and caramel? Or sweet and salty? Or chocolate and nuts? This dessert/treat has all of these combos, and it’s also healthy. Bonus!
But sometimes caramel can be too sticky and hard to eat – anyone else ever experience that? Not to mention, caramel is essentially pure sugar. Considering my love for dates and how similar their texture is to caramel, I thought why not use dates to mimic caramel? So, that’s exactly what I did. And let me tell you, these are addicting!
So, instead of using sugar like traditional caramel, this recipe uses dates! Not only is it easier, it’s also much healthier, with all the sweetness coming from the dates. Dates are the super star containing so many health benefits.
I. LOVE. DATES. They are just one of those snack cabinet staples I can’t live without. In my quest to find healthier snacks, I have started buying more dates, to use as a natural sweetener in a cookie or frosting.
Dates are a great snack on their own and they are high in fiber, rich in antioxidants, great for heart health and they provide a little energy boost thanks to the natural sugars. They are little morsels of natural sugar and a great alternative to refined sugars.
The dried fruit has a caramel-like sweetness that can also help reduce cravings for sugary snacks. I’m always on the hunt though for creative ways to dress up my dates, and I just knew these caramels would be delicious! If you haven’t cooked with dates yet, you have so many delicious uses just waiting to be discovered!
There are lots of date-focused recipes on social media these days, but when I came across viral date caramels I knew I had to try the recipe. And it did not disappoint!
Dates are a super fruit! They are a great source of nutrients and vitamins such as potassium, magnesium, vitamins B6 and K, calcium and iron, which contribute to various health benefits. They also provide a natural energy boost and are low on the glycemic index so your blood sugar won’t spike when eating them.
Why you will love these Date Caramels:
Healthy ingredients – this recipe is made with just a small handful of wholesome ingredients to provide a healthier alternative that tastes just like a caramel candy!
Easy to make – just mix everything together in a food processor, freeze, cut into squares and then dip in chocolate. Store these delicious bites in the fridge (or freezer for longer) for whenever that craving strikes.
Incredibly delicious – a sweet, smooth caramel covered in rich chocolate. Is there anything better?
Sometimes, nothing else will do but a sweet treat and this recipe is so delicious it will soon become your favourite go-to treat! With the rich, caramel-like flavor of dates combined with luxurious almond butter, the added protein powder and a hint of sea salt, these easy-to-make caramels are the perfect snack you can enjoy guilt-free.
Salted Chocolate Date Protein Caramels
Ingredients
Date Caramel
- 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1/2 cup almond or cashew (or any other nut) butter
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Flaky sea salt for finishing
Instructions
- Line a 7 x 5-inch loaf or narrow pan with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some over hanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.Add dates, almond butter, almond flour, coconut milk, protein powder, vanilla and salt to a food processor. Blend until completely smooth, stopping and scraping down the sides if necessary to keep things moving.Spread evenly into the lined loaf pan, the mixture should be about a ½-¾ inch thick. Smooth it out with the back of a spoon or spatula. Cover and freeze for about 2-3 hours until firm.
Chocolate Coating
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave at with 20 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Remove the date caramels and after checking they are firm and set, remove from pan using the parchment paper handles and cut into 16-20 squares depending on your preferred size.Skewer each square or use 2 forks to hold each one and dip into the melted chocolate, then place on a rack to dry. Or hold each one with a fork over the melted chocolate and spoon it over letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Sprinkle with sea salt as you work, waiting a few seconds so that the chocolate has started to harden a bit and the salt will adhere.Put the squares into the fridge for 30 minutes and once chocolate is set and crisp, enjoy your homemade Date Protein Caramels.Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
