What’s a carmelita? Did I just make that word up? Spell check seems to think that it should capitalized, and well, spell check is probably right. But I refuse to obey the rules. That’s why all you paleo purists hate me. I color outside the lines. I make recipes that are naughty and you hate me for it. Love me, but hate me.
Anywho. I’m not gonna lie. These taste effing delicious. And this was my first experience with vanilla beans. It’s much more exciting than just looking at them in vanilla bean ice cream. These little beans are in a pods and you push them out with a knife. It kinda looks like black sand. Not that I’ve ever seen black sand, but I imagine it to look like vanilla beans. But these little black specs smell like heaven. I am refusing to wash my hands now because they smell like vanilla bean ice cream and I have a firm belief that men will ask me on a date if I smell like this daily. Who cares if I look like sh*t, I smell like a birthday cake for god sakes! Who the eff doesn’t want birthday cake?! Weirdos, that’s who.
Speaking of weirdos, I partook in a CrossFit competition over the weekend. I actually paid money to put myself through pain for an entire day, competing against others who were putting themselves through just as much pain. Now that’s weird. Suffering in numbers seems to bring happiness I guess, because I sure did have a balls ton of fun. I freaking love CrossFit events. There are so many cool people, terrible CrossFit outfits, and good food. I packed a baked sweet potato with sunbutter and it was probably the best thing I’ve ever tasted after doing a workout that made me taste blood. Gotta love those.
This event was awesome though. It’s special to me because my good friend Robby from Alpine CrossFit puts together the event, so I couldn’t say no to him, especially after doing it last year. You can read all about my experience last year right here. I talk sh*t about people a lot in that post. I apologize for my childish behavior. I was 23 back then, still had so much to learn.
Anyways, the competition was awesome. I almost reached my 1 rep max on snatch of 145lbs, but only got 140lbs. Someday I’ll break that mind barrier and get underneath the damn bar. I even screamed at the bar like an effing psycho and still didn’t get it. Self humiliation for nothing. Shame. Then, to top the day off, I did one of the hardest workouts I’ve probably ever done. It’s way up there with things that make me want to cry. Along with cellulite, acne, and the occasional idiot I date. After I finished the workout, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I couldn’t cheer the other competitors on because I couldn’t speak, or stand, or sit, or open my eyes, or breathe. Really, I couldn’t do anything but let out a childish whimper while my friend Jaelyn poured water on my head. She’s wonderful.
Vanilla Bean Carmelitas
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
For the topping
- 12 dates, soaked in water for 30 minutes, pits removed
- 5 tablespoons canned coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 vanilla bean pod, cut in half lengthwise, seeds scraped out with a knife
- 1 cup roasted, unsalted cashews
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Place dates in a bowl of water to soak and soften. Just enough water so it covers the dates.
- While your dates soak, mix together your crust ingredients in a large bowl. Then place your crust ingredients in a glass 8×8 baking dish and press down until you get an even surface throughout.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until your crust has a crust to it and is cooked through inside.
- While the crust is baking, add your caramel ingredients to a food processor to become, well, caramel. Add your soaked and pitted dates (without the water) in a food processor and pulse until dates have broken down (less than a minute).
- Then add your coconut milk tablespoon by tablespoon to the dates while the food processor is still running. Then add your water as well.
- Now add your vanilla extract, cinnamon, vanilla beans, and pinch of salt and mix together. The longer you let the food processor do it’s magic, the more creamy the caramel will become.
- Once the caramel is done in the food processor, use a spoon to scoop it out and place in a bowl.
- Now add your cashews to the food processor and pulse down until you have smaller chunks. Then add your shredded coconut, honey, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and pulse down once more.
- Once everything has begun to combine, use a spoon to scoop out of the food processor, place in the bowl with your caramel and mix together.
- When your crust is done cooking, remove from oven and place your dark chocolate chips on top.
- Then use a spoon to scoop out your caramel mixture and place on top of your chocolate covered crust.
- Place back in the oven and bake for 4-6 minutes until everything is warm. Be sure not to burn the topping. It could happen, I just know it.
- Cut and serve!
Notes
My bars look extra tall because I made this batch in a bread loaf pan. If you want extra tall guys, you could do that too. It just became too intense to consume.
______________
You May Also Like:
Caramel Cheesecake Bars (minus cheese)
______________
Click Here To Get All My PaleOMG Recipes Into Your Meal Planner With Real Plans!
I may be compensated through my affiliate links in this post, but all opinions are my own. This compensation helps with expenses to keep this blog up and running! Thank you for your support with PaleOMG!
Who cares what the haters think, say or do. I effing love you, your blog and your recipes! Thank you for all the laughs and amazing recipes!
The best thing about this post is that the photo of you crushing it makes me want to lift harder and eat healthier….so although you dislike that photo, its what is going to get me through the “stupid cake extravaganza going away party” for a co-worker at my office today. NO CAKE for me if I want to snatch 140lbs and be as cool as Juli!
What wrist wraps do you use? And what are your favorite shoes for WODs
I use Reebok Crossfit lifting shoes because i had a giftcard there and use Gym Rat wrist wraps
Hey Juli! Just read your post from last year, lol….I also did a local competition over the weekend. It was great to be with people “like me!” again! I totally relate in your opinion regarding CrossFit and body image! Though, lately I’m getting a tad annoyed regarding shopping. I’m 5’10” and everything is short on me….now my back is ripped up so every shirt is small….and my legs are not shrinking by any means. But, I hit a Deadlift PR on Sat in the comp of 265 so I’d rather do that than have clothes that fit lol! This recipe looks ridic. Unfortunately I’d eat the whole pan so I must wait for an occasion to share. 🙂
JULI!
I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a long time. The PaleOMG headband is THE ONLY thing that keeps my hair from going in my mouth and down my throat during my 5×5 squat workout every Monday. Has that ever happened to you? I must thank you for this! Seriously, nothing else has worked and you have saved my volume squat day.
ALSO, I play tennis matches about 4 or 5 times a week. This amazing headband is the only headband I have ever worn (been playing tennis for years) that ACTUALLY stays in place even though I’m running around, jumping, twisting, changing directions, and fighting the wind.
OMG THANK YOU! we must spread the good word.
I figured out my greatest wish for the app. That it includes a prolific gallery of “bad crossfit outfits” with JB commentary. Fashion Police style. Or just a blog post. I’ll take anything, I just think this would be freaking hilarious. PS THESE LOOK AMAZEBALLS.
I agree with previous poster, what was the WOD that “dun broked ya?” Ok, I don’t talk like that…but it seemed fun at the time. Regret.
I am eating these as we speak- mine didn’t turn out as cute. Oh well. They wont last long enough for it to matter because they’re the freaking bomb.
Question for the ladies:
I’ve been eating clean and crossfitting like a mad woman this past year, and now my clothes don’t fit. I’m sucking it up, drying my tears going to buy some new jeans and shirts because I have to wear real clothes that aren’t spandex to work.
WHERE DO I GO? I really don’t feel like being miserable at the mall when things don’t fit over my shoulders and hammies. I can see it now.
HELP!
The only jeans I’ve been able to find that fit are at Old Navy. Other than that, I wear spandex and CF shirts. So I suck for giving advice on clothes obviously
I found the jeans at gap with 1-2%spandex are key… And then I get the hem taken in in the waist 🙂
Have you tried American Eagle Jeggings? They are the bomb. Extremely stretchy BUT still look like jeans. I love them so much I get them shipped to Australia!
What about the jeans do you find don’t fit correctly? I ALWAYS have a hard time finding jeans that fit. My newest pair are from NY&CO and they are amazing! I was totally shocked that they worked for me.
Was it the competition the work out that left you speechless, or something else?
Thanks for the delicious recipes!
These carmelitas made a DELICIOUS afternoon snack! I love coming home to Juli’s paleo treats :).
omgg. i think you might make me fat. and even worse, i think i might be okay with it.