Raw Salted Caramel Slice
If I tell you that not only does this taste better than it looks, but it is super-duper healthy, dairy, wheat, grain, and sugar-free, suitable fine for vegans or paleo eaters AND only takes 20 minutes to make, would you believe me?Well, it’s all true.So there!Doing some obligatory taste testing of each layer I couldn’t help but think that since taking this green grass road to wellness, I have completely changed my perception of food. The goodness in this sweet treat is so whole, that I couldn’t imagine anything from aisle 4 in the supermarket tasting as delicious or satisfying nearly as much. But before we get into the magic recipe, lets’ look at a super ingredient that had a lot to do with what makes this slice so good for you. Lucuma. Lucuma powder has a heap of health benefits and can be added to foods or beverages. It can help to satisfy a sweet tooth, is gluten-free and high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and carbohydrates, benefiting the immune system. Lucuma is made from the fruit of the Pouteria lucuma tree, a native to Peru, Chile, And Ecuador. The fruit was known as the Gold of the Incas in ancient times and is a greenish, yellow colour and egg shaped, with an orange-yellow flesh. The taste can be described as a cross between a caramel or maple and even pumpkin-like, and the fruit is dehydrated to produce the powder (or flour) such is used in this recipe.Lucuma has been used for centuries in South America for its medicinal properties. The State University of New Jersey reported a study that evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of lucuma extract on wound healing and skin aging. Results of the trial determined that lucuma significantly increased wound closure and promoted tissue regeneration. The report of the study concluded that lucuma may have anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and skin-repair effects on human skin. Lucuma powder has a sweet and fragrant taste that provides a natural sweetening to desserts without increasing your blood sugar levels, unlike many sweeteners that offer empty calories. A healthy alternative to sugar, lucuma powder may be useful for diabetics and people with other health issues.Salted Super Caramel SliceBase1 cup medjool dates1 cup almondsWhiz up until chunky and sticking together and press into the bottoms of your slice tray or molds and pop into the freezer until you are ready for your next layer.Salted Super Caramel3 tbls Cashew Butter (or coconut butter)3 tbls Lucuma Powder3 tbls Cacao butter (or coconut oil)2 tbls maple syrup (or 3 of rice malt syrup)1tsp vanilla bean paste1/2-1tsp of sea or Himalayan saltWhiz up and spread around 1 finger width thick on top of the base. (or eat it on its own! So good!)Chocolate 3 tbls cacao powder2 tbs maple syrup (or 3 of rice malt syrup)3 tbls Cacao butter (or coconut butter) melted.1/2 tsp Sea or Himalayan salt.Mix together and spread evenly, I used a silicon pastry brush, over the top.Refrigerate until completely cool.Thank-me!