Lifestyle Recipes

Raw sea salt caramel bites

Medjool Dates Sweet Snack Recipe #dessert #vegan #recipe #snack

It’s time to take the guilt out of sweet cravings! Raise your hand if your healthy eating habits have been compromised before because you couldn’t stop thinking about that candy bar sitting somewhere in your kitchen pantry *raises hand*.

I generally go by the “if I won’t have it in the kitchen, I won’t eat it” rule, so I don’t usually buy any sweets (other than dark chocolate, but does that even count?).

On the other hand, though, I also don’t like depriving myself and rather than resist my cravings, I always try to satisfy them, but in the healthiest way possible.  Today’s recipe is a real treat, but it’s also 100% natural, sugar-free, raw, organic and vegan, but it tastes REDONKULOUS.

Okay, so I can’t believe that I actually referred to something as “redonkulous”, but I can’t seem to find a better word to the describe the taste of these. The mix of fresh dates and macadamia nuts creates a delicious, sweet, nutty, caramel flavor with a nice crunch, whereas sea salt and cacao powder add a nice salty/bitter bite.

Medjool Dates Sweet Snack Recipe #dessert #vegan #recipe #snack

SEASALT CARAMEL BITES

1lb Medjool dates
1.5 cups macadamia nuts
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 TBS water

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until the consistency is smooth- it will be thick, dough-like. If your mixture seems a bit too dry, go ahead and add more water. Using a spoon scoop a small amount of the mixture and form small, round balls using your hands (the same way you would do with meatballs or cookies). You can have them as they are, or coat them with some organic cacao powder and a sprinkle of sea salt like I did.

Medjool Dates Sweet Snack Recipe #dessert #vegan #recipe #snack

Dates truly are “nature’s caramel”. They’re naturally sweet and creamy and literally melt in your mouth. These little bites taste great at room temperature and are even better when refrigerated for a couple of hours. You can store them in your fridge for up to a week, but I guarantee that once you and/or your loved ones taste them, they stand no chance of lasting that long ;) (my husband actually said to me “you know you can’t leave these on the table, they’ll be gone in an hour”).  Keep in mind that macadamia nuts, like pretty much all nuts, are high in fat, but they are also very low cholesterol and sodium and are a great source of thiamin and manganese. Still better than over-processed candy bars, don’t you think? The best part about this recipe is that it’s simple and quick. Cooking skills needed to make these: none. If you can boil water or toast a slice of bread, you can make these as well.


9 Comments

  • Reply
    bombcosmetics
    March 16, 2015 at 6:36 am

    Oh my goodness! Please send us a batch!

    http://www.bombcosmetics.me

  • Reply
    mel
    March 16, 2015 at 8:02 am

    Yum!

    http://www.girlandthepolkadot.com

  • Reply
    Brenda BusyBee (@BrendaBusyBee)
    March 16, 2015 at 11:17 am

    These look and sound delicious! So much better than a candy bar!! :) x

    Brenda BusyBee

    • Reply
      Paula
      March 17, 2015 at 12:08 pm

      Thanks Brenda! ;)

  • Reply
    Doug Johnson
    March 17, 2015 at 1:21 am

    These look to die for! Great blog:) I’m so glad I stopped by! xo, Hayley http://www.dailydoseofdarling.com

    • Reply
      Paula
      March 17, 2015 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks Hayley!

  • Reply
    Sophie Sierra
    March 17, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    I know I’m gonna sound like a broken record (but gawd damn Paula if you keep making each recipe more divine and more divine each time what’s a girl meant to say to ya?!) but I think this has to be one of my all time favourite recipes of yours! Presentation on-POINT as always and the photography showcases these sea salt beauts to the max. They look like exotic truffles on first stare but I know they taste a million times better just by looking at these stunning shots and hearing how the recipe rolls <3

    Love the innovative combo of salt and sweet, and the addition of caramel flavouring sounds beyond immense. Aww just love, love, love, LOVE! Kit Kat who? Haha, love it :D I'm definitely guilty of being lazy and reaching for anything unhealthy in sight.. really need to try and curb that. Was just thinking I don't have a hope in hell of making these but I can just about boil water so maybe I might?! Heheh! You are deffo the absolute advocate for going against the grain and dreaming up beautiful, nutritional recipes that are to die for yet are fulfilling and stunning all the same. And always enjoy reading your nutritional facts, they are so noteworthy and I deffo think you need to create your own wikipedia love ;) Another dreamy creation for the books, no doubt about it :D

    Sophie | soinspo xo

    • Reply
      Paula
      March 19, 2015 at 3:34 pm

      Awww hehe you really are the sweetest Sophie! These are actually very dangerous to make because of how quickly they disappear haha ;) Oh I’m sure you’d have no trouble making these, doesn’t get simpler than that :D Thanks so much again Love! <3 <3

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