I’m super excited to share one of my absolute favorite treats with you: an easy recipe for delicious protein-rich caramels – thick creamy, date caramel wrapped in rich chocolate, all finished with a pinch of sea salt. 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. Thanks to the use of coconut cream, these caramels have a subtle hint of coconut flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the caramel.

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. After all, what goes better together than chocolate and caramel? Or sweet and salty? Or chocolate and nut butter? 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.

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, chill, 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?

As well as being really easy to make, these cups are healthier than your average treat as they are made with wholesome REAL food ingredients. With the added protein powder it makes them more balanced than the traditional high carb recipe. Old fashioned baked recipes always had tons of sugar, carbs and fats. The new modern way it to add protein making the recipe more balanced and healthy.

Eating protein-rich foods has many health and fitness benefits, including:

Speeding recovery after exercise and/or injury.
Reducing muscle loss
Building lean muscle
Helping maintain a healthy weight
Curbing hunger

A well-balanced diet with proper ratios of macro nutrients (protein, healthy carbs and fats) provides all of the: energy you need to keep active throughout the day. nutrients you need for growth and repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy and help to prevent diet-related illness.

When you find your optimal balance and amounts of macro nutrients, you take a major step toward reaching your health goals and this balance has been improved in this recipe by the addition of healthy protein.

Your body can only absorb around 25-30 grams of protein at one time and you  likely need 80-100 plus grams a day so its important to spread it over all meals and snacks throughout the day so you can meet your required amount.

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 cashew 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.

Coconut Cream Caramel Protein Bites

If you are looking for a treat that truly feels gourmet then look no further than these homemade coconut cream caramels dipped in rich, velvety chocolate. They are the perfect blend of creamy, chewy and indulgent, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword clean eating dessert or snack, coconut caramel protein bars, coconut caramel protein snack, coconut cream caramel protein bites, healthy coconut caramel protein bars

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup dates, soaked for 30 minutes and drained
• 1/2 cup peanut (or any nut or seed) butter
• 1/2 cup canned coconut cream (or milk) + more as needed to thin
• 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder

Chocolate Coating

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• Flaky salt

Instructions

• Line a 7 x 5-inch loaf pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting. Set aside.

  Add the dates, peanut butter, and coconut cream to a food processor and blend until it’s smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Add more coconut cream as needed in small increments to reach a scoopable consistency. 

  The sauce may seem too runny at first, this is normal. It will thicken up when chilled.

  Add protein powder and pulse a couple of times to combine.

  Scoop the caramel into the lined pan and place in fridge to chill and set for at least 2-3 hours, or until firm.

  Once the caramel has set, remove it from the refrigerator and lift it out of the baking dish using the parchment paper handles, Place on a cutting board and cut it into 6-8 bars, or more smaller squares.

Chocolate Coating

• Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave 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.

  Once melted use two forks to hold each caramel bite and one by one, dip into the melted chocolate. Roll around until fully coated, then place back on the parchment lined tray.

  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 flaky salt if desired, then chill until chocolate has set.

  Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.

Print Recipe

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