Caramel date slice
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A raw decadent sweet filled with natural goodies. A few ingredients bring that sweet taste that we crave in a caramel slice. The maple syrup sweetens and brings the raw caramel taste. Dates are another sweetener and all sweetness is balanced with the nuts. Can you believe it? Fossil records show that the date palm has existed for at least 50 million years! This recipe is quite easy just it takes time because of the freezing process.
Ingredients
Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1 cup dates – pitted
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Filling
- 1 cup raw cashews – soaked in water for 1 hour
- 1 cup dates – pitted
- 1/2 cup coconut oil – melted on low heat
- 1 1/2 tablespoon unhulled tahini
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup water
Top Layer
- 1/3 cup coconut oil – melted on low heat
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup raw cacao powder
Directions
Base
- Line base and sides of a square freezer proof dish (20 x 20cm / 8in x 8in) with grease proof paper.
- Brush olive oil on the base and sides.
- Prepare dates for base.
- Blend in a food processor or blender almonds, dates and coconut oil. Blend to make a crumb mixture.
- Add mixture to the lined dish and press down to cover base evenly.
- Place dish in freezer for 1 hour and prepare cashews – see filling.
Filling
- In a small bowl soak cashews with water to cover for 1 hour.
- Discard water from cashews that have been soaking, prepare dates and melt coconut oil.
- In a food processor or blender pulse cashews, dates, coconut oil, tahini, maple syrup and water. As the mixture becomes smoother speed up the blending until you reach a nice smooth consistency.
- Remove dish from freezer and add filling over base. Smooth down to make an even layer. Place in freezer for 1 hour.
Top Layer
- In the last 5 minutes of the filling freezing time start to prepare the top layer.
- In a small pot add the coconut oil and melt on a low heat for 1 minute.
- Add maple syrup and cacao mixing well to combine, continue stirring until a smooth mixture is formed.
- Remove dish from freezer and pour topping over filling layer.
- Place in freezer for 1 hour or until set.
- Remove from dish by pulling up on sides of grease proof paper. Turn and remove paper.
- Place square on cutting board and divide into four even strips with a large knife. Cut by using sawing action to break through the top layer to prevent cracking. Cut each strip further into four slices.
- Serve and/or store in an airtight container in the fridge.
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