Raw Salted Caramel Slice (Date Bars)

These delicious Healthy Date Energy Bars are so simple to prepare, are no-bake and taste like a Raw Salted Caramel Slice! They make for a great snack and are vegan, gluten and refined sugar-free.

Jump to:

• Why we love this recipe:
• Ingredients in this recipe:
• Step by Step Instructions:
• Tips for Success and FAQs:
• More delicious recipes for you to try:
• Raw Salted Caramel Slice

Why we love this recipe:

Inspired by my Salted Caramel Bliss Balls, these Healthy Date Energy Bars contain just 5 ingredients, and are one of my favourite snacks!

They are so simple to prepare. Aside from tasting delicious, they are also:

• Vegan, gluten and refined sugar-free – making them suitable for many people with special dietary requirements;
• Rich in dietary fibre;
• Made from raw ingredients, and do not require cooking;
• Suitable for freezing.

Ingredients in this recipe:

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

Medjool Dates – are fresh dates that have a rich, caramel-like flavour and a soft, chewy texture.

Almond Meal/Almond Flour – Almond meal and almond flour are similar ingredients. Either are suitable to use in this recipe, depending on what is available, and what your preference is.

Desiccated Coconut – the finely grated, unsweetened and dried flesh from the coconut.

Vanilla Extract – enhances the flavour of the Healthy Date Bars.

Sea Salt – optional, but adds that delicious salted element to the caramel flavour. I use sea salt flakes for the best flavour.

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Wash the dates, dry them, and remove the pits. Roughly chop the dates and add to the bowl of a food processor along with the almond flour/meal, desiccated coconut, salt flakes and vanilla extract.
   Process until the ingredients are combined as you would like them. I like to leave some texture, but you can blend them to be smooth if you prefer. Check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to firmly flatten into your dish. If not, add another date or two, or a teaspoon of water, and blend again.
2. Line a dish 20 cm x 20 cm (8 inch x 8 inch) with cling wrap. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon coconut.
3. Add the mixture to the dish.
4. Using the back of a spoon or a spatula, firmly flatten and smooth the mixture.
5. Sprinkle the top with the remaining tablespoon of coconut. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour to firm up.
6. Cut into bars, the size of your choice. I made 15, approximately 6.5 cm x 4 cm. Store the Raw Salted Caramel Slice in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Tips for Success and FAQs:

The dates that we use in these Healthy Date Bars are Medjool dates. These are fresh dates, available from the greengrocer or fruit and veg section of the supermarket. They are not the dried variety that is found in the baking aisle of the supermarket.

Once you have blended the mixture, check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to compress into a bar. If not, add another date or two, or a teaspoon of water, and blend again.

More delicious recipes for you to try:

After some more delicious snack ideas? These are also vegan, gluten and refined sugar free, and very simple to prepare:

• Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls
• Soy Roasted Almonds
• Chocolate Mint Bliss Balls
• Spicy Roasted Almonds
• Apricot and Coconut Bliss Balls
• Tamari Roasted Pepitas
• Raw Chocolate Mint Slice
• Apricot Coconut Bars

I hope you’ll enjoy these delicious No-Bake Date Bars – I can never resist a sweet treat that tastes of salted caramel!

Alex xx