Raw Caramel Apples

 It has been an eventful past week.

That is for sure.

Some good.

Some bad.

So I thought it was definitely necessary to get in some baking.

Or well.. In this case, not baking.
But essentially with the same result.

Dessert.

Oh so perfect, sweet & tart dessert.

Enter, your new favorite sweet treat.

Caramel Apples.

Raw Caramel Apples.

Keeping it classy with the impromptu "sticks" for our apples..

Raw-licious Caramel Apples
4 Apples

Date Caramel Sauce

• 10 dates, depitted
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 2 heaping tsp peanut butter
• 2 tsp agave nectar

Chocolate Sauce
Note: this is a different sauce recipe than what I used! Mine was pretty thin.. So this one should be better!

• 2-3 tbsp agave nectar (or pure maple syrup)
• 2-3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2-3 tbsp peanut butter
• 3 tbsp coconut oil

Additional ingredients..

• 4 apples + 4 sticks or.. in my case, forks. Lol.
• Any toppings your pretty little heart desires! Amongst my selection, I used..
• Coconut
• Sprinkles
• Chopped almonds and pistachios
• Pretzels

Using a sharp pointed knife, cut out the stem & the blossom end of the apple. Stick each apple on a lollipop stick or a fork. Blend together the Date Caramel ingredients in a high speed blender. Stirring periodically to make sure the dates blend smoothly. (This might take a few minutes!) So be patient. The result is 100% worth it!

Spoon lickin' good.

Now get to spreading! Cover each apple sufficiently with your "caramel sauce" & cover with whatever toppings you want.

Let's just say..

We had a little bit of fun with our topping.

The adventurous one.

 The pretty one.

The quirky one.

The salty one.

Now, because a caramel and topping covered apple is just not enough.. It is time to make the chocolate drizzle.

Again, more spoon lickin' goodness!

Mix together the coconut oil, liquid sweetener, cocoa & peanut butter until smooth. Drizzle over your apples. I placed each of the apples in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm up the caramel a bit, but you can dig in right away if you want.

These are the perfect healthy treat to satisfy you sweet tooth without expanding the waist band on your pants! Enjoy. :)

Spicy Chocolate Peanut Butter Tofu

This Chocolate PB Tofu is amazing. I know what you are probably thinking.. Chocolate Peanut Butter.. TOFU!? Yes friends.. & it is life changingly good. Give it a shot, you will not be disappointed.

Spicy Chocolate Peanut Butter Tofu

It is slap you in the face good

• 1 block extra-firm tofu
• 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp liquid aminos or soy sauce
• 2 tbsp organic peanut butter
• 3 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp 100% pure maple or agave syrup
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (It is quite spicy! So if you aren't a huge spice fan, tone it down a little bit. It will still turn out amazeballs. I promise.)

Before you can get to the chocolately peanuty goodness, you have to prep that tofu! Emily over at the Daily Garnish has an easy to follow "tofu tutorial" that you can go follow. Perfect golden chunks, every time.

Get your tofu browning on the stove, then it is time to get saucy. Whisk together cocoa powder, liquid aminos/soy sauce, peanut butter, syrup & cayenne in a small bowl until smooth.

Once your tofu is nice and golden brown you can add your nutty chocolate sauce mixture into the pan. Stir well to coat.

No chunk left behind.

The sauce will thicken up from the heat, then it is time to serve it up.

 I will be the first to admit.. I had my doubts.

But it is delicious.
I promise.
& Al even gave it the carnivore seal of approval.

Welp.. It is off to study some anatomy for me.

You're jealous..

I know this.

Lots of MN Love,
-Jules

Oh hey.

P.S.

I am running a 10 miler THIS SUNDAY. If you would like to receive texts to keep you up to date on my pace/how I am running during the race you can go to this link:

http://athletetracker.cloudapp.net

Just type in your cell number & search for my name to follow me!

:)