Sweet treats with a twist

Caramel Peanut Bars

These are our two favourite things combined into one: caramel slice and peanut butter. A base of vanilla shortbread, followed by a thick pour of salty caramel. Finish it off with a slab of peanut butter chocolate, chunky roasted peanuts and extra chocolate–because why not?! This slice 100 per cent ticks all of the boxes.

Makes 8. Prep time: 35 minutes. Setting time: 2–3 hours + 1–2 hours.

Vanilla shortbread

1 cup buckwheat or rolled oats
½ cup pumpkin seeds
½ cup cashew butter
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
2–3 tbsp 100% pure maple syrup
pinch of sea salt

Caramel

1½ cups dates, softened in boiling water for 5–10 minutes, then drained¼ cup cashews, in boiling water for 5–minutes, then drained⅓ cup coconut oil, melted¼ cup coconut milk2 tbsp tahini1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract½ tsp sea salta handful of roasted peanuts, roughly chopped