Toffee Baked Oats & Date Caramel

So what’s the difference between caramel and toffee? Toffee is made with mainly butter while caramel is made with mainly liquid like milk or cream. And what else? Toffee is more of like a candy and caramel is a sauce to be drizzled over just anything. But honestly, toffee and caramel is just so similar. Full of sugar too. Refined sugar is not my thing.

Have you heard of date caramel? Because that stuff is so damn good. I had to resist eating it out from my food processor. And it is the key ingredient in making this toffee baked oats. Oh, did I mention that both recipes are vegan? 😉

I added a little cacao powder in this one 👆 Which explains the darker colour. It’s optional but oh so good too!

I highly recommend you to eat it fresh from the oven because erm well, it’s just way better.

We eat toffee with chocolate chips and nuts, don’t we? Go ahead. Add them in. I added chocolate chips.

Ahh… the star of the show. Use only medjool dates for the best caramel flavor.
DATE CARAMEL
12 medjool dates
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
3/4c water, adjust as needed
First, soak your dates in warm water for at least 1 hour. Drain and pit your dates (pull apart the date from the centre and remove the pit) and throw pitted dates (NOT THE PIT) into the food processor. Blend until a paste is formed. Bits and pieces are fine. Now, add in coconut oil and 1/2c of water and continue blending until smooth. Add in vanilla and the rest of the water and blend again. Add more water, spoonfuls at a time until your desired consistency is reached, if necessary. Store in an airtight jar and keep refrigerated. Use within 5 days.

Imagine you made your date caramel tonight and you’re dying to make oats with it. This recipe is perfect as you get to prepare soaking your oats too, on the same night. Saves you more time the next morning! Not only that, I really love overnight preps. Saves me a lot of time especially when I have to rush for school.
OVERNIGHT TOFFEE BAKED OATS
6 tbsp rolled oats
Pinch of salt
6 tbsp non dairy milk 
3/4 med banana, mashed
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp date caramel
1 tbsp chocolate chips
Handful chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc)
The night before, mix your oats with salt in a medium mixing bowl and pour in milk. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Alternatively, for immediate baking, soak for 20 minutes or until all liquid has been absorbed.
The next morning, mix in your baking powder first. Then mash your banana and add into the oatmeal. Add in chocolate chips, nuts and date caramel and mix until well combined. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C for 23 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately!