Golden Caramel Chocolate Slices (Vegan GF)

A no-bake crumbly biscuit base with a golden date caramel enrobed in rich dark chocolate, these caramel squares are easy and delicious. Naturally vegan, GF and can be refined sugar-free, they make a great afternoon snack or dessert.

Chocolate caramel squares, bars, slices… whatever you want to call them, I am obsessed. I have made quite a few over the past few months and have loved being creative with the layers. From my first Double Biscoff Caramel Bars I posted on here, to a few that are yet to come, my family and I have loved eating them, too. I like to play around with the base ingredients, too, while keeping the whole recipe no-bake. It’s perfect for the times when you want something indulgent and tasty without switching on the oven, and with added wholesome goodness.

What’s in the base of these Golden Caramel Chocolate Slices?

• Ground almonds: key for a great crumble texture that also holds itself together. I know a lot of people like to use almond flour which is finer, and this would also work, but is less readily available here in the UK.
• Oat flour: simply grind up your own oats. There is no need to buy oat flour (which is more expensive than oats anyway) and make sure it is GF where needed. This makes a great alternative to white flour.
• Almond butter: this helps to bind the bars together and keep them sticky enough with a slightly nutty aroma. You can swap this for another nut or seed butter, too.
• Maple syrup: a little syrup helps to bind these bars and prevents them from being too crumbly when you slice them. You can use another liquid sticky sweetener, too.

That’s all the base ingredients! Blend them together or stir by hand until you have a sticky dough and press firmly into a lined tray or dish to form the first part of these Golden Caramel Chocolate Slices. So easy and so delicious. And then comes the second layer which is my favourite part: the golden caramel.

It’s golden thanks to the added turmeric which is not overpowering in favour and I suggest starting with ½ tsp and taste before adding more. It gives the date caramel a wonderfully rich and warm glow.

• Pitted dates: as always, medjool dates are my favourite but they are also the most expensive, so any dates will work. Soaking them in boiling water to start with allows them to turn really jammy.
• Almond butter: this adds a richness to the caramel and adds to the sticky and smooth texture. As above, feel free to use another nut/seed butter. Cashew or Tahini would both by amazing.
• Coconut oil: this helps the caramel layer to set slightly as it cools down because the coconut oil also solidifies. It doesn’t affect the flavour but is really important for the texture.
• Vanilla: this is optional, but I love the sweet flavour it adds!
• Turmeric: this is essential for the golden glow. I have also tried this with a turmeric-coconut blend and it was delicious, too. As stated above, start with the smaller amount and taste test as you go, so that the turmeric isn’t overpowering.

This golden caramel will turn wonderfully sweet and sticky as it blends, and I suggest adding a splash of the date soaking water (or fresh water) to help it along. Pour this creamy caramel over the base and then allow these Golden Caramel Chocolate Slices to set in the freezer. 

The chocolate drizzle is the winning part that ties all of these layers together. I love adding coconut oil to the melted chocolate as it is shinier and the texture is more indulgent and smoother, but you can go without, too. For the neatest bars, chop these up before drizzling over the chocolate. A sprinkling of cacao nibs adds a great crunch on top, but if you don’t have these, try adding some small seeds or nuts.

It’s hard to believe these Golden Caramel Chocolate Slices are made from wholesome and healthy ingredients as they taste so indulgent! To make sure they are refined sugar free, use chocolate sweetened with dates, coconut sugar or maple syrup for example, but this is not essential.

Keep them in the fridge for the perfect texture – they won’t last long! A crumbly sweet biscuit, smooth and oozing golden caramel and rich dark chocolate means these bars are a favourite with friends and family. naturally sweetened with dates and maple syrup, made from plant-based and GF ingredients, they are a simple but delicious no-bake.

If you are looking for more no-bake ideas, how about my:

• Chocolate Chip Matcha No-Bake Bars
• Strawberry and Coconut Tarts
• Double Chocolate Tahini Fudge Bars
• Chocolate and Pistachio Cookie Dough Bars
• No-Bake Cookie Dough Bites

Golden Caramel Chocolate Slices (Vegan GF)

• Servings: 8
• Time: 20 minutes plus 2-3 hours chilling
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

A no-bake crumbly biscuit base with a golden date caramel enrobed in rich dark chocolate, these caramel squares are easy and delicious. Naturally vegan, GF and can be refined sugar-free, they make a great afternoon snack or dessert.

Ingredients

• Base:
• 70g ground almonds
• 50g oat flour (blend oats in a blender to a flour)
• 50g almond butter
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• Date Caramel Layer:
• 150g pitted dates
• 2 tbsp almond butter
• 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ – 1 tsp ground turmeric
• Chocolate Layer:
• 100g dark chocolate
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp cacao nibs

Directions

1. Prepare the base: stir together the ground almonds, oat flour, almond butter and maple syrup to form a sticky crumbly dough. Transfer to a lined tin/dish (about 10x20cm) and press down to form an even layer. Place in the freezer.
2. Make the date caramel: soak the dates in hot water for 10 minutes then drain (keep the water). Add to a blender with the almond butter, coconut oil and vanilla with 2-3 tbsp of reserved date water and blend until really smooth and thick. Keep going until no lumps remain and then blend in the turmeric. Pour over the base layer, smooth over the top and freeze for 2-3 hours until set.
3. Melt together the chocolate and coconut oil.
4. Remove the bars from the freezer and use a sharp warm knife to slice into 8 bars/squares. Drizzle over the chocolate and place on a lined baking sheet or plate. Sprinkle over the cacao nibs and allow to set in the fridge for 20 minutes.

I am so excited to hear what you think of these Golden Caramel Chocolate Slices so please let me know below. I love seeing what you make, so please tag me in your creations – I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest  – please say hello!

With golden caramel love x