This post has been sponsored. Complimentary product was exchanged for my honest review.
Medjool dates can easily be considered one of nature’s most delicious treats. Soft, sweet, and juicy- dates are not only a tasty snack but they are also a power fruit packed with nutrition. Medjool dates are high in potassium, dietary fiber, and provide 16 vitamins and minerals all while having no fat or cholesterol. One of my favorite brands of Medjool Dates is Natural Delights. Natural Delights offer whole and pitted dates as well as USDA Organic dates. These extra plump dates are packed with amazing flavor and are always fresh tasting. Based in Bard Valley, (located in the southernmost corner of California bordering Arizona), the Natural Delights farmers are committed and passionate about growing the best quality dates possible.
Aside from being an unprocessed, satisfying, and energy-boosting snack, medjool dates also function as an excellent base in a variety of vegan and raw recipes. One of my favorite ways to incorporate dates into baking recipes is by using them in a raw, vegan salted-caramel sauce. Try out the recipe below for a salty-chocolatey-caramel cookie dessert using fresh dates as the primary base to the caramel sauce. Also, be sure to check out Natural Delights recipes for both savory and sweet recipes.
Vegan Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
1 ½ cups coconut sugar
1 cup vegan butter (Easth Balance is my favorite)
1 tsp vanilla
1 flax egg
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup arrowroot flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 1/2 cups vegan chocolate chips
Pinch of coarse sea salt
Caramel Sauce (adapted from The Detoxinista)
1 cup pitted Natural Delights Medjool Dates (soaked for at least 2-3 hours)
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1 cup soaked cashews
Directions
Start by making your caramel sauce. Add all of the ingredients in a high-powered blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Place in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Next preheat oven to 375 and lightly grease an 8×8 pan. Cream butter and sugar. Next add in vanilla and flax egg and stir until well combined. In a separate bowl mix together flours, salt, and baking soda. Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and stir until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread cookie mix evenly in pan. Spread about half of the chilled caramel mixture on top of cookie mixture. Cover pan with a piece of aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until skewer inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and sprinkle with course sea salt.
Learn more and purchase Natural Delights Medjool Dates at www.naturaldelights.com.
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This post has been sponsored by Natural Delights. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by any form of compensation. See full disclosure policy in tab above.
1 Comment
I would love the Vegan Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. My daughter is vegan and always looking for new tasty recipes like this one.