Date Tahini Caramel Candies
Easy to make, chewy and naturally sweet – this date caramel recipe is made using fudgy dates and creamy tahini. Unlike traditional caramels, which are usually made by cooking sugar,butter, and cream until they caramelise, these date caramels rely on the natural sweetness of dates as well as the richness of tahini to achieve a similar, though healthier, result.I’m revisiting old recipes that I had completely forgotten about. This date caramels recipe is based on these chocolate covered salted caramel ‘fudge’ that I shared many years ago.Now-a-days I make a lot of very easy, very few ingredient recipes, but this is easily one of the simplest I have ever created. I originally called them fudge, but on reflection they are more like caramels/toffees than fudge.I wanted to create a similar recipe, but easier with even fewer ingredients (because sometimes even4 ingredients can be too many!) This date caramels recipe only calls for 2 ingredients.What are those 2 ingredients I hear you ask? Well you may already be able to guess, but if not,the two ingredients in question are:DatesTahiniThat’s literally it! You blend those together, freeze or refrigerate then slice into candy/toffee shaped rectangles and enjoy! These gorgeous little candy treats are deliciously simple to make and loaded with antioxidants, protein and good fats with no refined sugar for healthy snacking. The wholesome, nutrient-rich ingredients in these smooth, delicious treats make one delicious bite that satisfies hunger!So simple to make and are the best healthy snack for at home or on-the-go! Dates and tahini is combined to make this candy that is packed full of nutrients. Making them at home with whole foods avoids the preservatives in store-bought protein or energy bars.Why You Will Love This Superfood CandyAmazing Texture! Dates give this recipe incredible flavour and bind the candy together and make this candy so deliciously chewy! Dates are also loaded with fibre, potassium,magnesium, and antioxidants.Naturally Sweetened! You will love the natural sweetness from the dates in this recipe! Plus they contain antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to support brain, digestive, and heart health and protect against disease. You don’t get that from sugar – nothing to see there but empty calories.Easy to make – Because this date caramel recipe skips the traditional caramelisation process, they are quicker to make and don’t require cooking on the stove. There’s no need to muck around with a candy thermometer, instead all you need to do is blend the ingredients together, press into a cake tin and slice. Job done!Less processed – Unlike regular caramels which are made with things like refined sugar, butter, heavily sweetened condensed milk and corn syrup, we are only using whole dates and tahini to make this version. Both dates and tahini are great whole foods to use in desserts. Dates are naturally sweet, packed with fibre and research shows that they don’t negatively impact blood sugar levels even though they are high in carbs. The main binding ingredient is tahini, aka sesame paste - a nutritional powerhouse, tahini contains all the essential amino acids, making it a high quality protein, As well as being a source of healthy fats and rich in lecithin, tahini is also a rich source of B vitamins, vitamin E, and other minerals, such as magnesium, iron and calcium. It is easily digestible because its high alkaline mineral content and because of its non-acid nature, tahini is an ideal protein source for people with weak digestive systems, invalids and young children, and is an excellent source of quick energy for active people and athletes.Tahini (aka liquid gold)is made from toasted ground hulled sesame seeds. It's smooth, nutty and rich,with a slightly bitter finish and an mouthfeel similar to almond or peanut butter.These healthy candies have become my favorite snack to prepare. They cover all the bases of my snack requirements: chewy, creamy, salty, sweet, and nutritious. And they do a fine job of keeping me away from the sweets at work every afternoon.Whip up a batch in 10 minutes, freeze to harden, and store leftovers in the fridge so they are ready at a moment's notice. Whether it's for a pre-or post-workout energy boost, dessert, breakfast on-the-go, or to satisfy that 3 o'clock snack craving, these bite sized healthy treats are the golden ticket.They are make a great as an edible gift for friends and family. You could wrap up the cut up pieces in pretty paper to make them look a million dollars.
Servings 20
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Medjool dates (packed) or dried dates soaked for 30 minutes and drained
- 1/2 cup tahini - sesame seed butter - well stirred
Instructions
- Add the dates and tahini to a food processor and blend until combined.Press into a loaf tin (I used a 9 x 5-inch loaf tin). Freeze for 30 minutes or refrigerate for 2 hours.Slice into small rectangles. You can make them as big or as small as you like. I sliced mine into 20 pieces.Store in an air-tight container at room temperature or in the fridge.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
