I’ve always had a soft spot for caramel. There is something about that buttery, gooey texture that I find irresistible! Now? Well, my love for caramel hasn’t changed, but my preference for ingredients has. These days, I prefer making my own. And my favorite way to make caramel is from dates!
Not only are dates loaded with vitamins and minerals they are a great source of fiber, naturally sweet and are perfect for baking. (Or just snacking – I could eat a giant handful by themselves.)
These no bake caramel cookie bars have a chewy base layer topped with a super creamy, date caramel layer. They are then drizzled with chocolate for a seriously tasty, healthy treat!
For the caramel filling, I used a simple combination of dates and tahini (sesame seed butter) – a combination I use in so many of my recipes. If you are new to the concept of making a caramel using dates with tahini (or nut butter), you need to try it asap! I know it’s not technically a ‘caramel’, but it’s a much healthier version that tastes just as good.
Dates are naturally sweet and contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. As you will see with this recipe, you can blend them with a nut butter and they transform into a creamy caramel.
These caramel cookie bars combine layers of an oaty, sunflower seed base crust, a tahini (sesame seed butter) and date filling. Lastly, these are topped with a drizzle of melted chocolate, a pinch of flaked sea salt and bee pollen. The topping is optional, but adds a bit of decoration to an otherwise naked-looking filling. And the big thing…no baking needed!
Once made it then goes into the fridge to chill. Its an easy, healthy, oven-less dessert that also happens to be gluten-free and refined sugar-free!
Every time I post a recipe that includes tahini I still get asked the question ‘what is tahini’? It surprises me because it seems to me that tahini is now everywhere.
So many people on social media use it in both sweet and savoury recipes. It’s become somewhat of a trendy ingredient. That part doesn’t surprise me at all – I have been singing its praises for years. I add it to so many of my recipes – it’s by far one of my all-time favourite foodie ingredients to use, especially in desserts.
Tahini, one of the main ingredients in this recipe, is pure sesame seed paste, which adds a slightly bitter, nutty flavor. Combined with the sweetness of the dates and the properties of coconut oil, mixing these together allows the tahini to harden up in the freezer, becoming a chewier texture that you can enjoy as dessert!
I have probably said this about a million times before and I don’t think I will ever stop saying it – tahini and dates are the best dessert combination EVER!
You will love the toasty tahini flavor and the caramelly date filling. With just a small handful of ingredients, these freezer healthy candies are an easy treat or snack, to keep stashed away for …well, any reason!
It’s a wonderful thing that healthy fats have become popular with the keto movement. No longer is eating a mouthful of fatty goodness frowned upon. After decades of playing the villain, humans once again embraced healthy, real food fats.
Incredibly healthy foods with fats like tahini and coconut oil join forces in these delicious small but mighty treats. No baking or cooking needed, made with wholesome ingredients and so darn simple to make.
If anyone is ever sceptical of treats without refined sugar or dairy, these are what I make them – always a crowd pleaser!
They are the perfect clean eating dessert! And, even better, you only need a few ingredients to make them. This recipe is really the perfect treat for an any time healthy snack or dessert! Or any time you are craving a little something sweet but want to stay on track with your healthy eating plan.
Golden Tahini Caramel Bars
Ingredients
Base Crust
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/2 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
Date Caramel Layer
- 1 1/2 cups dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed butter) or any nut butter
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Drizzle
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
Base Crust
- Line a 8 x 8-inch baking 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.In a food processor add oats, sunflower seeds and coconut and process until broken down and crumbly. Add melted coconut oil and process until well combined.Be careful not to over process as its nice to have texture variance and different sized “bits” in your bar bases.Scoop the base crust from the food processor into the lined pan and smooth out evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
Date Caramel Layer
- Blend the dates with the tahini until smooth and creamy. Add in the coconut oil and vanilla and blend until you get a smooth paste.Spread over the top of the base crust and pop in the freezer for 1-2 hours.
Chocolate Drizzle
- 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 and smooth, drizzle the chocolate over your slice with a spoon or piping bag.Place back in the fridge to set for five minutes before sprinkling with coconut and/or sea salt or bee pollen.To serve, cut into 12-16 bars or slices depending on the size you prefer.Serve immediately, or keep in the fridge for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.
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
