This is magic, madness… but not sin. I promise these treats will not disappoint, and they are just that a treat: an item out of the ordinary which gives great pleasure!

Free from refined sugar but full of… dates! You may think that these are a sugar bomb but before you dismiss them let me tell you about the benefits of dates.

Dates are delicious and nutritious, offering a tremendous amount of health benefits. They are a rich source of healthy fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

Soluble fiber is essential for good digestive health because it draws water into the digestive tract. This helps relieve constipation 💩 The potassium found in dates can also treat upset stomachs and diarrhea. They are a digestive tract balancer that can strengthen good bacteria in the stomach.

Anemia is a common issue, specially common in women. Dates are an excellent source of iron, so as anemia can leave one feeling exhausted it is important to boost iron levels.

Magnesium, manganese, potassium and selenium. These minerals are also necessary for keeping our bones and blood strong and healthy.The potassium found in dates reduce stroke risk and adding dates to your  diet can lower cholesterol… why are dates not a trendy ‘super food’

I think people fear the natural sugars. These include fructose, sucrose, and glucose. The fiber in the dates keeps power up without the crash one would typically experience from any other sweet treat.  Even if your diet is a sugar-free one, devoid of high-fructose corn syrup, agave, honey, coconut sugar, and cane sugar, you probably still eat fruit, and dates are a fruit too, with loads of benefits.

A treat for you…

Vegan Millionaire Shortbread

Recipe

Base:
2 cups of homemade granola (if you don’t have use 1 cup rolled oats and 1 cup of mixed nuts and seeds)
2 tbsp rice malt syrup

caramel:
1 cup of dates (the good stuff!)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup cashew nut butter (you could use another type, but the mild flavour of cashews works best)
1/4 cup rice malt syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Chocolate topping:
1/3 cup cacao powder
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 liquid sweetener such as maple or more rice malt.

How to:
For the base: Whizz granola into a fine dust and add syrup. Press into individual molds or single baking tray.
If you don’t have granola toast your nuts and seeds for a nuttier taste. Whizz as above and add syrup.

Caramel: Place all ingredients in a high powered blender such as a Nutribullet or Vitamix. Keep mixing it until the mixture starts to bind and becomes a solid ball. Don’t worry if this takes some time, the heat of the blades will also help the ingredients bind. Press the caramel over the nutty base using a metal spoon. Place in the fridge whilst you make the topping.

Chocolate:
Melt the coconut oil and add all other ingredients. Making sure there are no cacao lumps poor over the caramel layer.

Place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.

If you made these in molds. Use a little warm water under them to tease them out! If in one single baking tray cut into bite size pieces.. remember to taste as you do 😉

Enjoy!

Marina ✌🏼