Vegan Vanilla Caramel Slice

The most AMAZING vanilla caramel slices! They taste like caramelly cookie dough heaven! Vegan and refined sugar free. Made from wholesome ingredients with healthy benefits! I like to keep these in the freezer and have one for dessert...or breakfast ;) with a cup of coffee. Awww perfection! 

Here’s what you’ll need:

Base:

1 cup soft pitted dates

1 cup almond flour

1 cup rolled oats

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tbsp. water

Blend ingredients in a food processor until combined. Press date mixture into a lined (wax paper) 9X9 glass dish.  Place in the freezer.

Middle Layer:

2 cups soft pitted dates

1 tbsp. peanut butter

3 tbsp.  tahini

1/2 cup hemp mylk

1 tbsp. mesquite powder (*see note below)

1 tsp. vanilla

Blend ingredients in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Pour on top of the base mixture and use a spatula to spread it evenly into the corners of the dish. Place back in the freezer.

Top Layer:

1/2 cup raw cocoa powder

1/3 cup coconut oil

1 tbsp. pure maple syrup (optional sweetener)

Mix ingredients in a cup. Use a microwave if needed to melt the coconut oil.

Pour on top and spread chocolate sauce evenly over the caramel-date layer.

Sprinkle with topping of your choice or keep plain (I used chopped pistachios and Brazil nuts).

Place in the freezer for 8 hours (or over night). Cut into slices and serve!

*Note on Mesquite Powder

So when I first heard about Mesquite powder, I thought it would taste like smoky BBQ; not so... it has a sweet nutty caramel-like flavor, making it ideal for a natural sweetener in desserts. Mesquite powder is ground from the pods of the mesquite plant and is high in protein, low on the glycemic index and is a good source of soluble fiber, calcium, iron, lysine, manganese, zinc, and potassium. Nice...

Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites

I'm obsessed with Laura Bars...my favorite is their chocolate peanut butter bar. At $1.79 a pop things can add up quickly, so I decided to make my own. It looked simple enough, right? It was! My version is refined sugar-free and packed with protein. They are the perfect treat! 

Ingredients:

15 soft pitted dates

2 tbsp. smooth peanut butter (raw or regular)

1 tsp. water

1/2 peanuts

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips or cacao nibs

1 cup shredded coconut

Instructions:

Blend pitted dates, peanut butter and water in a food processor until the mixture turns into a coarse paste. You may need to add more water depending on the brand of peanut butter you use (some pb's are drier than others).

Add peanuts, salt and chocolate chips to the food processor. Pulse a few times to incorporate the ingredients and break the peanuts into smaller pieces.

Take spoonfuls of the mixer and roll into 2-inch balls. Roll each ball in finely shredded coconut and place on a plate.

Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until ready to serve.

*I usually keep these in the refrigerator for the whole week and grab one whenever a sweet craving hits.  

Vegan Chocolate Nut Butter Caramel Cups With Sea Salt

I'm not a vegan (as you can see from many of my other recipes), but lately I've have been experimenting with healthier options. I think I nailed this one! I wouldn't feel right keeping this to myself so I had to should share it with you guys! It will improve your life...or at least put a satisfied smile on your face. I even like these better than Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! Whaaaaat!? It's true. They are super easy to make and taste amazing + you'll feel less guilty indulging in these little treats because they are all natural with no preservative. Without further ado, I give you Vegan Chocolate Nut Butter Caramel Cups With Sea Salt.

Makes about 8 (2 inches round 1 inch thick each)

Ingredients:

Chocolate shell:
1 cup vegan chocolate chips

2 tsp. coconut oil

Nut butter caramel:

2 tbsp. nut butter (any kind will do...I like peanut)

8 soft pitted dates

1 tsp. coconut oil

1 tbsp. water

pinch of sea salt

Directions:

-Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwavable cup for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir to incorporate the oil into the chocolate. You'll want the consistency of the chocolate to pour off your spoon in a thick stream (not too runny or it won't set up)

-Spoon a bit of the chocolate into your mini nonstick muffin cups, just enough to cover the bottom of each cup. Then place the tin in the freezer. Any leftover chocolate can be set aside and used later.

-Now start the nut butter caramel! Place the nut butter (cashew, almond, peanut or whatever you like), soft pitted dates, coconut oil, water and sea salt in a blender or food processor. Blend until the the ingredients turn into a fine paste. 

-Take the frozen chocolate tin out of the freezer and distribute the nut butter caramel evenly among the cups. Press the paste firmly into the mold to avoid any gaps between the layers. Make sure to pat the tops so they are level and flat.

-Reheat the leftover chocolate and pour it over the cups. Give the tin a few taps on the counter to level the chocolate. Sprinkle with a sea salt flakes.

-Place in the fridge or freezer until the chocolate has set. * To release the treats from the mini muffin tin, hold the bottom of the tin over a flame for 5 seconds on each cup. Take a thin knife and run it along the edge of each circle. They should pop right out. Serve at room temp

Cashew Oat Protein Bites {Just Like Cookie Dough}

 

Ingredients:

1 cup raw unsalted cashews
1/3 cup oats

½ banana

1 tbsp. peanut butter {crunchy or smooth}
2 tbsp. agave or maple syrup {whichever you prefer}
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

-Blend the cashews and oats in a blender until they resemble a course powder

- In a large bowl, mix ½ banana {mashed}, 1 tbsp. peanut butter, 2 tbsp. agave, 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Gradually add the cashew oat powder until everything is thoroughly combined.

-Roll into inch size balls

-Press chocolate chips into each one 

-You can eat them right away or freeze them for later {up to 2 weeks}.

They taste just like real cookie dough, but they're much healthier than the real deal. Keep them stashed in your freezer for when your sweet tooth cravings attack!

Flavored Milk Straws

I found the coolest flavored milk straws the other day and they are kid approved too (I had my nanny baby try one and she loved it). 

How they work: * Step 1 - Dip your straw into a glass of plain milk. (Do not cut the straws) * Step 2 - Take a long sip * Step 3 - Powerful flavor beads magically transform your milk into a delicious treat  Fun facts that make you love them even more! * No Artificial Colors * No Preservatives * No Artificial Flavors * Gluten Free Flavors: * Banana * Orange Cream * Wild Berry * Chocolate Peanut Butter * Strawberry Banana * Vanilla Milkshake * Strawberry *cookies and cream    These are so much fun! Where were these when I was a kid? Ok so I'm not going to lie...I picked the pack up for myself.

 

 

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cookies

Oh my sweet mama, these are amazing...
 

·  2 cups sugar

·  1 stick butter

·  3 Tbsp. cocoa powder

·  1/2 cup milk

·  1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter

·  1 ½  tsp. vanilla extract

·  3 cups oatmeal (old fashioned rolled oats, not instant)

Mix the sugar, butter, cocoa, and milk in a medium saucepan. Boil for 1 minute. Stir

Reduce heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Mix quickly until peanut butter melts, then add the oatmeal. Mix until the ingredients are well blended. Stir for a couple more minutes on low heat (you want the oats to slightly cook, so they won't be hard when you eat them).

Drop spoonfuls onto tin foil, wax or parchment paper. Allow to set and cool completely before serving. I would suggest putting them in the fridge if you want them to set faster.
Makes 2 dozen 3 inch cookies.


This is revised version of a Lick the Bowl Good recipe.
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The Bee's Knees Peanut Butter

Ok, this is kind of random but this is my all time FAVORITE PB -- so smooth and sweet with little specks of granulated honey. And...it has the same name as my blog. What a coincidence! Click on the links to learn more about this cool NY sandwich shop that's famous for its PB!

Our all-natural peanut butter blended with scrumptious honey. The Bee's Knees is a delicious new way to enjoy our peanut butter. You can really taste the honey in this new variety, which promises to become a new classic in sandwiches and snacks across the country. It contains no cholesterol, no trans fats, no hydrogenated oils, and no high-fructose corn syrup. It is also gluten-free, vegetarian, and certified kosher pareve by the Orthodox Union.

NY Peanut Butter and Co. Sandwich Shop