Something else I'm proud of is the fact that these aren't primarily chocolate! However, I couldn't resist and put a little cacao in the crust.
They're super tasty, and super nutritious. Think of the healthiest, most delicious granola bar - this is like that in dessert form I guess. The crust is mostly almonds and prunes, while the center is pine nuts, chia seeds, dates, maple syrup and cinnamon. Oh... and I added a little peanut butter.
I actually used my caramel recipe, using chia seeds. But instead of almond butter and tahini, I used peanut butter =} And instead of Brazil nuts I used pine nuts. Equally as delicious. I had leftover filling so I ate it with a banana for breakfast - yom. I could also eat balls of the crust... it might even be better than the filling.
Either way, make these for a healthy snack and get your dose of EFA's, fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, plus a bunch of other goodies.
Chia Caramel Tarts: makes about 3, if you can resist eating the ingredients while you're making it
Crust:
Handful each of walnuts, almonds & coconut chunks
1/3 cup prunes and/or dates
1 Tb agave/maple syrup
Dash of salt, cinnamon
1 heaping Tb cacao
Filling:
Handful Brazil nuts
2-3 Tb raw agave/maple syrup
1 t vanilla extract
7-10 dates, soaked for 30 minutes or so if you can - but don't dump the water!
3 Tb almond butter
2 Tb tahini
2-3 Tb coconut butter, melted
1/2 t cinnamon
Pinch salt
Pinch salt
Water as needed (preferably the date water)
1/6 cup or so coconut flakes
2 Tb chia seeds gelled with water (see note)
Crust: pulse nuts, dates/prunes and coconut together until they become very fine pieces, stating to stick together. Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until it forms a ball. Press into tart tins and set in the fridge while you make the filling.
Filling: process Brazil nuts into fine pieces, add all other ingredients EXCEPT coconut flakes and chia seeds. Process until it has a caramel-y consistency. You may need to add some water or more of the other ingredients. Try it. Your mind should be exploding now. If not, continue tampering until it reaches the mind-blowing stage.
