Pumpkin Spiced Date Caramels

Sooo you may have noticed that there are not a lot of dessert posts on this blog, that is because generally speaking desserts aren't super healthy.  It makes me crazy when I see "healthy" blogs loaded with dessert items.  I mean I get it, healthy people eat dessert too, but come on you still can't eat a cake a week (even if it is vegan) and expect to be healthy. That said, from time to time I will post a few sweet treats and my most important message about all of them is that they are TREATS!  One of the things that I like about these caramels is that they will keep for a few weeks in the freezer so they won't go bad or to waste if you can resist the urge to over indulge AND they are awesome melted on to some oatmeal in the morning.  Oh and if you are going to eat dessert, why not eat one that is a source of potassium, magnesium, and iron?

Here is what we are making:

I covered some in chopped walnuts and some in sea salt here.  But you can really top them with anything, I was thinking that pepitas or pecans might be good too.


Ready to make them?

Ingredients:

12-16oz of medjool dates
2 tablespoons pumpkin butter (pumpkin puree ok here too)
2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
toppings such as:
   sea salt
   walnuts
   pecans
   pepitas
   shredded coconut







While you are getting your other ingredients measured out soak the dates in hot water for a few minutes. They should be soft and gooey when they are ready.  Next pop out the pits of the dates if they are not already pitted.

Now throw the dates, pumpkin butter, and spices into the food processor and pulse it a few times to break up the dates.  Then drizzle in the coconut oil and flip the switch again.  You will probably need to scrap down the sides a few times.  You want to keep processing this mixture until it is smooth and creamy (in a dreamy kind of way).

Everybody in the pool!

















                                             Creamy and dreamy







Now with a spoon or ice cream scoop (since your not using it to scoop ice cream it should just be hanging out in the drawer) scoop the mixture into small balls and place them on a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.

Sprinkle on your toppings and then put them in the freezer for a at least 4 hours.  Then eat!  In moderation :)



















Pretty darn good and taste very similar to the caramels that you are used to.



In the winter I might make them with peppermint and chocolate...yyuummmm!








Happy eating and best health,

Dr. G