caramel slice two ways

chewy caramel balls

 

quick version – chewy caramel slice / balls

ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups macadamia nuts
  • 1 ½ cups rolled oats
  • 1 ½ cups medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

 

method

  • blend macadamia nuts in a food processor until a rough paste forms
  • add dates, oats and vanilla extract and blend on high speed until smooth
  • spread in to a brownie tray or roll in to balls (pictured) and place in the freezer for two hours
  • if making a slice, it will set a little soft (not frozen solid) to cut desired serves

 

longer version – caramel slice

ingredients

base

  • ¾ cup (115g) raw unsalted macadamia nuts
  • ½ cup (53g) rolled oats
  • ¼ cup (31g) tapioca starch
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • ½ tsp vanilla essence
  • pinch sea salt

middle

  • 164g (approx. 12) pitted medjool dates
  • ½ cup (125ml) almond milk

top

  • ½ cup coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp cacao powder
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • ½ tsp vanilla essence
  • tiny pinch sea salt

 

method

  • while it may take some time in and out of the freezer, the beauty of this slice is that it is raw, therefore it requires no baking!
  • to make the base, add the macadamia nuts to a food processor and blend until you reach a light crumble texture (make sure you don’t over process or else it will turn in to nut butter)
  • add the oats and tapioca starch and blend until combined (oats should be broken down but not as fine as flour)
  • spread out the mixture on a non-stick brownie tray, pressing down with the back of a spatula to smooth down to a solid even base
  • place in the freezer to set while you make the caramel layer
  • take the pitted dates and place in a bowl, cover with boiling water and soak for 5 minutes
  • drain the water, then add dates to a food processor with the almond milk
  • blend on high speed until smooth
  • remove the base from the freezer and use a spatula to spread out the caramel mixture evenly over the top
  • place the slice back in the freezer to set for at least an hour
  • to make the top layer, add all ingredients to a food processor until combined
  • remove the slice from the freezer (once the caramel layer has hardened) and use a spatula to quickly spread the mixture out evenly before the chocolate hardens
  • return to the freezer for an hour (or until set)
  • cut in to bars and let the slice sit at room temperature for a minute or so to soften before eating