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Recipe

Healthy Carmelitas

These INSANELY delicious Healthy Carmelitas will be a family favorite! They’re gluten free, paleo friendly, and vegan friendly! Can’t wait for you to try them!

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
Prep: 30 minsCook: 22 minsTotal: 52 mins
Servings: 9 1x

Ingredients

  • Nutty layer:
  • 2 cups pecans (any mix of nuts or oats)
  • 1 cup blanched almond flour
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 2 tablespoons agave nectar
  • ¼ cup ghee (coconut oil or butter works)
  • ¼ cup natural peanut butter (any nut butter is delish)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Caramel Goodies:
  • 1 can (14 oz.) coconut cream
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • splash vanilla
  • couple pinches sea salt
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
  • flaked sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. First, make the crusty crumble.
  3. Put the pecans (any nuts should work), almond flour, and sea salt in the food processor.
  4. Process for about five seconds until chunky and combined.
  5. Add the almond butter, ghee, coconut sugar, and agave nectar.
  6. Process again until combined and sticky. They should form a dry ball when you press it in your hands.
  7. Line an 8×8 dish with parchment paper.
  8. Transfer half of the nutty mixture to the dish and press it into the bottom.
  9. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
  10. While the bottom layer is baking, make your caramel!
  11. Place the can of coconut cream in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
  12. Once it starts boiling, add the coconut sugar.
  13. Continue to cook over medium-high heat, whisking frequently until it starts to thicken up, about 15 minutes.
  14. Add the vanilla and sea salt and whisk until it’s thick and caramel consistency.
  15. Pour the caramel on top of the baked nutty layer.
  16. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
  17. Crumble the remaining nutty mixture on top of the caramel and chocolate chips.
  18. Gently press it down and bake for another 10 minutes.
  19. All the bars to cool COMPLETELY before cutting into them. If you cut into them too soon, it will be a sticky, crumbly mess (I’m guessing). I waited for my bars to come to room temp, then I lifted the parchment paper out from the dish and placed it on a cutting board.
  20. Sprinkle with flaked sea salt.
  21. Cut into 9 squares.
  22. Store in the fridge.
  23. Personally, I loved them chilled the next day because the caramel really had time to set. I’m thinking next time (If I’m patient enough) I’ll chill them in the fridge before I even cut into them.

Tips

Serving (1 bar): Calories 482; Fat 43.6g (Sat 16.5g); Protein 6.5g; Carb 23.4g (net carb 19.1g); Fiber 4.3g; Sodium 84mg

© The Toasted Pine Nut

Find it online: https://thetoastedpinenut.com/healthy-carmelitas/