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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Vegan Caramel Slices

    Publish Date Mar 8, 2022 · Updated: Aug 4, 2022 by Yasmin

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    Our Vegan Caramel Slices are an indulgent and delicious no-bake dessert, that are naturally gluten free, and a great sweet treat for the whole family to enjoy.

    A stack of vegan caramel slices with a toddlers hand in the foreground, about to help himself to one.
    Vegan Caramel Slices.

    We use Plant Based Whole Foods such as soft dates, cacao powder, walnuts and pecans, to make a chocolaty nut based biscuit layer. Dates and cashews to make our sweet and smooth caramel. And we then finish them off with a dark chocolate layer on top.

    Jump to:
    • What You'll Need
    • How to Make Them
    • Serving Suggestions and Variations
    • How to make these Caramel Slices Raw Vegan
    • Storage
    • Recipe Tip
    • FAQ's
    • Other healthy and raw dessert ideas
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    What You'll Need

    Base Ingredients

    Overhead photo of the vegan caramel slices base ingredients. All in glass bowls, on a white background.
    Ingredients for the base.
    • Cacao Powder - We often use raw cacao powder in place of the more common cocoa powder. This is because it's high in antioxidants, has a great flavour, and is still inexpensive. I buy mine by the kilo from an online Health Food Store. You can also get them in almost all health food shops, or places like Amazon. 
    • Medjool Dates - Dates are full of fibre, iron, vitamin A & antioxidants, and we incorporate them in to our diet regularly. Fresh medjool dates work because of their caramel like flavour. If they’re a little dry, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes first to soften them. If you can't access medjool dates, look for another soft date in your local store to use instead.
    • Pecans - Great for desserts due to how rich and creamy they are. They are brimming with nutrients that may benefit brain function, including mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids, in particular, have been linked to decreased mental decline and reduced inflammation.
    • Sea Salt - It's easy to become a little worried about using salt in recipes especially when it comes to feeding children. But it's important to note that salt is important for our health too, we need it as much as we need other nutrients. The key is to not add too-much. A little added to this recipe makes a huge difference to the final flavour, by really bringing out the intensity of the chocolate.
    • Walnuts - A nut often praised for its high plant based Omega 3 content. They are relatively cheap and available at most supermarkets. If you aren't a fan of walnuts you can switch these for more pecans, hazelnuts or for pumpkin seeds.

    Caramel Ingredients

    All the vegan caramel slice filling ingredients in glass bowls, laid out on a white background.
    Vegan Caramel Slices - Filling Ingredients.
    • Almond Butter - A nut high in calcium, with a delicious flavour. We've tried omitting it and we prefer the caramel with it added, but it is optional. You can also substitute this for creamy peanut butter if you'd prefer.
    • Cashews - Rich in fibre, heart-healthy fats, and plant protein. They're also a good source of copper, magnesium, and manganese — nutrients important for energy production, brain health, immunity, and bone health. cashews are also abundant with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk. They are also a source of numerous other essential vitamins and minerals, including protein, iron, zinc and magnesium. They also help to lower LDL cholesterol levels.
    • Pure Maple Syrup - You can switch this for agave nectar syrup if preferred. We like to use pure maple syrup for its flavour, and the fact that it contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. In particular it contains zinc, and manganese - a mineral essential for healthy brain and nervous system function.
    • Medjool Dates - See note above for medjool dates under 'Base Ingredients'.
    • Vanilla Bean Paste - Vanilla paste is easily be subbed for vanilla extract in most recipes. The difference in flavour is very mild and the two can be used interchangeably in most recipes.

    Chocolate Layer Ingredients

    The vegan caramel slice topping ingredients in glass bowls, laid out on a white background.
    Vegan Caramel Slices - Topping Ingredients.
    • Chocolate Chips - We chose a Dark Chocolate that's Vegan friendly, but you can choose whichever Chocolate Chips you prefer to use.
    • Coconut Oil - This is added to stop the Chocolate from fully hardening when chilled.

    Equipment

    • Baking/Parchment Paper
    • Baking Tin we used an 8x8inch tin
    • Food Processor
    • Glass bowl for the Bain-Marie
    • High Speed Blender but only if your food processor isn't powerful enough to make the Caramel completely smooth. Some Food Processors will leave it slightly textured, although it will still be delicious so don't worry if you only have a Food Processor to make this with
    • Small Saucepan for the Bain-Marie
    • Spatula

    How to Make Them

    Firstly, soak the Cashews

    Side by side photos of a glass bowl, on the left it's filled with raw cashews, on the right is once they've been soaked.
    Soaking the Cashews.

    The first step in this recipe is to add your Cashews to a bowl, and fill with room temperature water until the Cashews are completely covered, then leave to soak for 8 hours or overnight. Alternatively, you can use boiling water, and soak for half an hour.

    Making the Base:

    Two photos showing the base ingredients in the food processor, before and after blitzing.
    Steps 1 & 2.

    Steps 1 & 2 - Add all of the base ingredients to the food processor and blitz until you have a crumb that's easily mouldable when pressed.

    Side by side photos of the caramel slice base ingredients in to a square baking tin, lined with white greaseproof paper. On the left as poured into the tin and on the right shows the base being pressed down by hand.
    Steps 3 & 4.

    Steps 3 & 4 - Pour the crumb into a lined tin and press down to form an even layer for your slices. Transfer to the fridge to chill whilst you make the Caramel filling.

    Making the Caramel:

    Side by side photos of the filling ingredients in the food processor, before and after blending to a smooth caramel.
    Steps 5 & 6.

    Steps 5 & 6 - Add all the caramel ingredients to the food processor and blitz until well combined. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides to ensure everything is being mixed together.
    *Recipe Note - If your food processor isn't quite powerful enough to blend the caramel until it's smooth, you can use a high speed blender instead. If you don't have one just bear in mind that there will be a little more texture to your caramel, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - it'll still be incredibly tasty!

    Side by side photos of the baking tin, lined with white greaseproof paper. On the left is the vegan caramel after being added onto the base, and on the right is after levelling it out with a spatula.
    Steps 7 & 8.

    Steps 7 & 8 - Spoon out the Caramel from the food processor, and then using a spatula, smooth it out over the base layer until level. Return to the fridge whilst you melt the Chocolate for the top layer.

    Making the Chocolate Topping:

    Side by side images of the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a glass bowl, before and after melting together.
    Steps 9 & 10.

    Steps 9 & 10 - Using a Bain-Marie, add your Chocolate Chips and Coconut Oil to the bowl, and stir together until smooth, and both have completely melted. Leave to cool slightly for 5 minutes before adding to the Caramel.

    Side by side images of the melted chocolate. On the left being poured over the vegan caramel, and, on the right, once the caramel is completely covered in the chocolate.
    Steps 11 & 12.

    Steps 11 & 12 - Remove the Baking Tray from the fridge and pour over the cooled melted Chocolate. Using a spoon, spatula, or something similar, smooth out the melted Chocolate over the Caramel until it is fully covered.
    Return to the fridge for at least 20 minutes for the Chocolate to set.
    Once ready, you can slice in to portions. We cut ours in to squares, and this recipe makes 16.

    9 vegan caramel slices cut in to squares, on a white sheet of greaseproof paper. Two slices have been turned on their side to show the layers within - the base, caramel filling, and chocolate topping.
    Incredibly delicious Vegan Caramel Slices.

    Serving Suggestions and Variations

    • We make up a batch (or two) and then store them away in the freezer and dip in whenever we fancy one. They make for a great dessert but they often find there way out whenever we fancy a snack. The kids absolutely love these too.
    • You could try topping these with things like Chopped Nuts, Hemp Seeds, Honeycomb or Popping Candy for a bit of fun.

    How to make these Caramel Slices Raw Vegan

    If you would like to make these as raw vegan caramel slices, then the recipe doesn't actually vary that far from the one we have detailed here. There are only two differences.

    Firstly: You'll need to swap out the 2 tablespoons of Vanilla paste for the seeds from 2 Vanilla pods.

    NB: How to use vanilla pods: Just cut them lengthways, then use your knife to gently scrape out the seeds. Add the vanilla seeds, along with the other caramel ingredients to the blender. Then make the caramel as per the instructions (see steps 5 & 6 above).

    Secondly: For the chocolate topping, instead of chocolate and coconut oil (as is shown in the recipe) you can use the following ingredients:

    3 tablespoons of Cacao powder.
    1 tablespoon of Maple Syrup.
    1 tablespoon of Coconut oil.

    Leave the coconut oil aside in a warm place, until it turns to liquid. Then mix the three ingredients together in a glass bowl, before pouring over the top of your caramel layer in the baking tin ( as seen above in step 11).

    Then chill or freeze and you will have your finished raw vegan caramel slices.

    If you fancy trying some more of our raw vegan treats, then you cold also try our Raw Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies or our Raw Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake.

    Storage

    These can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. Or alternatively you can keep these in the freezer if you prefer a firmer caramel. Simply just remove one or two from the freezer prior to eating for about 5 minutes and they will be ready to eat.

    Either way you store them, if storing in multiple layers in your tub, be sure to add a layer of baking paper between each layer so that they don't stick together.

    Recipe Tip

    If your food processor isn't quite powerful enough to blend the caramel until it's smooth, you can use a high speed blender instead. If you don't have one just bear in mind that there will be a little more texture to your caramel, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - it'll still be incredibly tasty!

    FAQ's

    Can you freeze Caramel Slices?

    Yes, and we highly recommend you store some of them this way. When they're frozen, they don't fully set, which means you get a vegan caramel slice with a lovely thick chewy Caramel instead.
    When Steve has a caramel slice, he prefers it straight from the freezer, whereas I prefer a softer gooey caramel so I keep mine in the fridge, or if frozen get them out 10-15 minutes before I want to eat them. Either way, they're incredibly tasty.

    Other healthy and raw dessert ideas

    Here are a few of our other Delicious Recipes you might like to try.

    • Six chocolate coated banana lollies topped with sprinkles and flaked almonds.
      Frozen Banana Lollies - Easy, Healthy & Vegan
    • A pile of vegan date brownies.
      The best fudgy vegan date brownies - Gluten free
    • A stack of gluten free pancakes, drizzled with cashew cream, maple syrup and topped with sliced nectarine, fresh blueberries and chopped walnuts.
      Easy, Fluffy, Banana Pancakes
    • An overhead view of the whole batch of bars, on white parchment paper.
      Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars

    Recipe

    9 vegan caramel slices cut in to squares, on a white sheet of greaseproof paper. Two slices have been turned on their side to show the layers within - the base, caramel filling, and chocolate topping.

    Vegan Caramel Slices

    Our healthy caramel slice recipe makes an indulgent and delicious no-bake dessert, that is naturally gluten free, and great for the whole family to enjoy.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 squares
    Calories: 216kcal
    Author: Yasmin

    Equipment

    • Baking paper/parchment
    • Food Processor
    • High Speed Blender (for the Caramel, if you don't have a high speed food processor)
    • 1 x Square Baking tin  (we used an 8x8inch tin)
    • Spatula

    Ingredients

    For the Base:

    • ½ cup Pecans
    • 1 cup Walnuts
    • ½ cup Organic Cacao Powder
    • 1 ½ cups Pitted Medjool Dates
    • 1 pinch Pinch of Salt

    For the Caramel Filling

    • 1 cup Raw Cashews soaked for 2-4 hours
    • 1 cup Pitted Medjool Dates
    • ½ cup Organic Maple Syrup
    • 2 tablespoon Vanilla Bean Paste
    • 1 tablespoon Almond Butter

    For the Chocolate

    • 1 tablespoon Organic Coconut Oil
    • 1 cup Chocolate Chips
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    For the Base

    • Add all the base ingredients to a food processor with a pinch of salt and mix on high speed until the mixture resembles a fine crumb.
      ½ cup Pecans, 1 cup Walnuts, ½ cup Organic Cacao Powder, 1 ½ cups Pitted Medjool Dates, 1 pinch Pinch of Salt
    • Line your baking tin with baking paper and pour your base mixture in.
    • Press down firmly and evenly with the back of a wooden spoon until tightly packed.
    • Place in the fridge whilst you wash up your food processor and make the Caramel filling.

    For the Caramel Filling

    • Add all the Caramel ingredients to your food processor and blend on a high speed for 60-90 seconds until well combined.
      1 cup Raw Cashews, 1 cup Pitted Medjool Dates, ½ cup Organic Maple Syrup, 2 tablespoon Vanilla Bean Paste, 1 tablespoon Almond Butter
    • Remove the baking tin from the fridge, pour over your caramel and level it out with the back of a spoon.
    • Place back in the fridge whilst you melt the Chocolate and Coconut Oil for the topping.

    For the Chocolate Top Layer

    • Using a Bain-Marie, melt the Chocolate Chips and Coconut Oil together until smooth.
      1 tablespoon Organic Coconut Oil, 1 cup Chocolate Chips
    • Leave to cool for 10 mins.
    • Cut into portions and then return to the freezer to be stored in an air tight container and taken out 10 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    Tip: If your food processor isn't quite powerful enough to blend the caramel until it's smooth, you can use a high speed blender instead. If you don't have one just bear in mind that there will be a little more texture to your caramel, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - it'll still be incredibly tasty
    • If you would like to make these as raw vegan caramel slices, then the recipe doesn't actually vary that far from the one we have detailed here. There are only two differences.
      Firstly: You'll need to swap out the 2 tablespoons of Vanilla paste for the seeds from 2 Vanilla pods.
      NB: How to use vanilla pods: Just cut them lengthways, then use your knife to gently scrape out the seeds. Add the vanilla seeds, along with the other caramel ingredients to the blender. Then make the caramel as per the instructions (see steps 5 & 6 above).
      Secondly: For the chocolate topping, instead of chocolate and coconut oil (as is shown in the recipe) you can use the following ingredients:
      3 tablespoons of Cacao powder.
      1 tablespoon of Maple Syrup.
      1 tablespoon of Coconut oil.
      Leave the coconut oil aside in a warm place, until it turns to liquid. Then mix the three ingredients together in a glass bowl, before pouring over the top of your caramel layer in the baking tin ( as seen above in step 11).
      Then chill or freeze and you will have your finished raw vegan caramel slices.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 329mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin B1: 1mg | Vitamin B2: 1mg | Vitamin B3: 1mg | Vitamin B5: 1mg | Vitamin B6: 1mg | Vitamin C: 1mg | Vitamin E: 1mg | Vitamin K: 4µg | Calcium: 45mg | Copper: 1mg | Folate: 15µg | Iron: 1mg | Manganese: 1mg | Magnesium: 70mg | Phosphorus: 121mg | Selenium: 2µg | Zinc: 5mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jill

      March 23, 2022 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      We made these yesterday and they have all gone already. I'm definitely in the 'eat them straight from the freezer' camp. Didn't get to try that until this morning though, now we're gonna have to make some more so I can hide more in the freezer!

      Reply
      • Yasmin

        April 04, 2022 at 11:40 am

        Hi Jill.
        Steve is definitely in the 'straight from the freezer' camp as well. I prefer them from the fridge myself, and tend to give them to the children this way as well, just because they are a little softer when not frozen.

        Reply
    2. Jess

      April 06, 2022 at 6:06 pm

      5 stars
      I cant believe how good the cashew and date caramel tastes. It was so good that I was eating it straight from the bowl. I had less to put in the slices as a result, they were still delicious as well though.

      Reply
    3. Beckie

      April 22, 2022 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      These are really tasty and I had no issues following the recipe. I did however really want to try making them raw vegan though, but I was wondering if the chocolate will actually go hard if it is made according to your variation of the recipe?

      Reply
      • Yasmin

        April 22, 2022 at 8:45 pm

        Hi Beckie,
        Yes the raw chocolate mixture will harden on top in the same way the melted chocolate does. So bear this in mind when cutting the squares. As suggested in the recipe - Use a hot knife to cut through the chocolate layer without completely cracking the top (although I skipped this stepped once for 'research purposes' and it actually looked quite cool. And the caramel slices were still perfectly edible and delicious).
        Let us know how it turns out with the raw chocolate topping.
        Yasmin

        Reply
    4. karen

      April 29, 2022 at 10:40 pm

      5 stars
      Fun to make with the kids and we all really like them.
      really good when they were frozen too.

      Reply

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    Welcome to my blog Raising on Plants!
    I'm Mummy to 3
    under 5... so I'm a little busy.
    If you’re a fan of cooking, baking and eating some healthy-ish food – you came to the right place.
    Here you will find delicious, plant focused, vegan & vegetarian recipes to help you nourish your family.

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