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About This Recipe
These Salted “Caramel” Date Bars are proof that a healthier dessert can still be delicious. The dreamy date “caramel” is rich, sticky, and caramel-like without any refined sugars, and it pairs perfectly with a soft almond shortbread crust and a thin layer of dark chocolate topping. To top these bars off, they’re finished with flaky salt that creates the perfect sweet-salty balance while keeping ingredients simple and wholesome.
These bars are the perfect treat to make for meal prep desserts, afternoon snacks, or when you want something to satisfy your sweet tooth that won’t stop you from hitting your New Year’s goals!
For more desserts that taste like a healthy candy bar, try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars (Healthy Butterfingers), Date Snickers (Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates), or Peanut Butter Cornflake Bars.
Why You’ll Love These Date Caramel Bars
- No refined sugar or artificial sweeteners: Naturally sweetened with dates and maple syrup!
- Taste like your favorite sweet treat: These bars have a soft, chewy texture with a rich flavor of caramel for the most satisfying healthy dessert.
- Perfect combo: The perfect amount of sweet + salty thanks to flaky sea salt
- Easy to make: Made with simple ingredients and just a few easy steps.
- Meal prep friendly: Great for meal prep and storing in the fridge!
- Almond and coconut flour: This combo creates a soft, slightly chewy shortbread-style crust. I don’t recommend substituting all coconut flour or all almond flour, as both are needed for the right texture.
- Pure maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness to the crust. Honey can be used if preferred.
- Melted butter: Gives the crust richness and helps it hold together. Coconut oil or dairy-free butter both work as substitutes.
- Vanilla extract: Helps to enhance the caramel flavor.
- Medjool dates (pitted): The natural dates are key for the “caramel” layer. Make sure they’re soft and fresh. Medjool dates work best.
- Almond milk: Helps soften and blend the dates into a smooth caramel. Any milk (dairy or non-dairy) works.
- Coconut sugar: Optional for deepening the caramel flavor. You can substitute brown sugar (or any sugar) or leave it out for a less sweet bar.
- Dark chocolate chips: I recommend using a good quality dark chocolate that is 60–70% cacao, for the right balance of sweetness and richness. Use dairy-free chocolate (like Enjoy Life) if needed.
- Coconut oil: Helps the chocolate melt smoothly and set nicely.
- Flaky sea salt (optional): Highly recommended for that sweet-salty finish.
- Dairy-free: Use coconut oil or dairy-free butter in the crust and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Nut-free: You can try to swap the almond flour for oat flour, but these bars will have a slightly different taste/texture.
- Chocolate: Use semi-sweet or milk chocolate if you prefer.
- Thicker caramel layer: Feel free to double the date caramel layer for extra rich caramel flavor (great for true caramel lovers).
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
- In a bowl, add the almond flour, coconut flour, and salt.
- Mix to combine.
- Then add the maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Pour the mixture into an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some hanging over on the sides.
- Firmly and evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 12 minutes, or until lightly golden along the edges. Remove from the oven. Let cool slightly.
- Add dates and almond milk to a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dates are very soft. Then transfer the dates and remaining milk + 1 tbsp milk to a food processor (or use an immersion blender).
- Blend the dates, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until thick and smooth.
- Spread evenly over the warm crust.
- Then, melt the chocolate chips with coconut oil until smooth and pour over the date layer and gently spread into an even layer. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt (if desired).
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, or until fully set. Slice into small squares and keep stored in the fridge.
Store these chocolate “caramel” bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days.
They’re best enjoyed chilled, straight from the fridge. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months (just thaw slightly before serving).
Helpful Tips
⏰Don’t over-bake: Be careful not to over-bake the crust. It should be lightly golden, not crisp.
🔪Clean slices: Use a warm, sharp knife (run under hot water and wipe dry) for clean slices.
🌪️Smooth caramel: For the smoothest caramel, blend the dates and caramel ingredients in a high-speed blender (or food processor) while the dates are still warm.
Do these actually taste like traditional caramel?
While these bars don’t taste exactly like caramel, the dates create a rich, sticky texture with a deep caramel-like flavor (especially when paired with vanilla and salt) that will easily satisfy any caramel craving you might have.
Are dates healthy?
Yes, dates have a ton of health benefits! The superfood date fruit contains natural sugar and lots of fiber, which makes it low on the glycemic index scale. They are also naturally low in fat and packed with a ton of nutrients like potassium, copper, magnesium, vitamin B6, niacin, calcium, iron, and vitamin K.
Can I melt the chocolate using a double boiler method instead of the microwave?
You can also use a double boiler method to melt your chocolate if you prefer. Just place a heat-safe bowl over a saucepan and add chocolate chips (or pieces of a good chocolate bar). Turn the heat on medium-low and stir the chocolate until completely melted. This is a great way to try if you’re worried about burning the chocolate.
Can I make these salted caramel date bars ahead of time?
Absolutely. These bars are perfect for making a day or two in advance. Just store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Salted “Caramel” Date Bars
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 1 cup super-fine almond flour (112g)
- 2 Tbsp. coconut flour (14g)
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (60g)
- 1/4 cup melted butter (56g)
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Date “Caramel” Filling
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (150g)
- 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp almond milk or any milk
- 1 Tbsp. coconut sugar (12g) or any
- 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Chocolate Topping
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips at least 60–70% cacao
- 1 tsp. coconut oil
- Flaky sea salt optional
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some hanging over on the sides.
- Bake the Crust: In a bowl, mix the almond flour, coconut flour, and salt.
- Stir in maple syrup, melted butter and vanilla until a soft dough forms.
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 12 minutes, or until lightly golden along edges. Remove from the oven. Let cool slightly.
- Make the Date “Caramel”: Add dates and almond milk to a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dates are very soft.
- Transfer dates and remaining milk + 1 tbsp milk to a food processor (or use an immersion blender) to blend the dates, vanilla and a pinch of salt until thick and smooth.
- Spread evenly over the warm crust.
- Add the Chocolate Layer: Melt the chocolate chips with coconut oil until smooth.
- Pour over the date layer and gently spread into an even layer.
- Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt (if desired).
- Chill & Slice: Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, or until fully set. Slice with a warm knife to help get clean edges. Keep stored in the fridge.
Notes
- Store these chocolate “caramel” bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days.
- They’re best enjoyed chilled, straight from the fridge. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months (just thaw slightly before serving).
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
