Raw Vegan Caramel Chocolate Fudge Bites

Umm... so this is one of the most amazing raw desserts I've ever made! A chewy "caramel" center that really tastes like caramel candy surrounded by a rich chocolate coating. These are similar to "Rolo" candies if you know what I'm talking about.. except they're tastier, fancier, and made from all natural ingredients. Completely vegan, gluten-free, wholesome and raw, everyone can enjoy this recipe and it will be sure to wow your friends! Ideas for this recipe were inspired by my vegan food idols Angela Liddon and Laura Miller.



Ingredients:

For caramel center:
12 soft medjool dates (remove the pits)
1 1/2 teaspoon of nut or seed butter (peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower seed, etc.)
pinch of salt

For the chocolate fudge coating:
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup raw cacao powder
1/3 cup maple syrup
optional - more nut/seeed butter as a topping

Directions:

Blend dates in a food processor until they form a sticky paste. Add nut/seed butter and salt and blend again until well combined. (You may need to scrape the sides of the food processor a couple times to make sure everything gets mixed together well.) Mixture should be well combined and uniform looking (no major chunks), but doesn't have to be perfectly smooth.

Blend chocolate fudge coating ingredients together or mix by hand until well combined and smooth like a sauce. My food processor has different blender cups so I used one for the caramel and another for the chocolate, alternatively you can remove the caramel mix to a small bowl to then blend the chocolate in the same food processor cup.

For making each treat, you can either use any type of silicone mold or tray that has separate compartments. Molds for making chocolates or ice cubes in any shape work well. You can also use a mini cupcake tray or something similar. Just something with a contained area to hold each treat while it "hardens". Recipe makes 8-12 treats depending how small or large you make them.

I used a silicone ice cube tray for mine with 9 sections. Use a spoon to spread a thin layer of chocolate fudge sauce on the bottom of each section.



Roll caramel mixture into small balls and place each ball in the center of each.



Top with chocolate and spread it evenly over the sides so caramel is fully covered.



I then drizzled some almond butter over top each treat with a spoon for added decoration (and added flavor!) - optional



Freeze for 20-30 minutes until the chocolate sauce hardens. Take them out and enjoy!



These are so filling and rich. The inside is even chewy like caramel candy! Enjoy, and store any uneaten treats in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer for up to a few days (if they last that long before being eaten!)