VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE, REFINED SUGAR FREE, NUT-FREE
When that sweet sprinkle of maple sugar and flaky salt hit our oat/sunflower seed butter mixture . . . we get the CHEWIEST, salty/sweet treat in these no-bake goodies! These MINI COLD CUPS are my go-to for when the weather starts to heat up and it's too hot to turn on the oven. Thanks to their nut-free status, they make a great addition to any school lunch aaand without the heat of an oven, they're easy for kids to make! Packing them into a mini muffin tray makes it SIMPLE to store them in the refrigerator and just pop 'em right out. On top of that, they freeze well . . . so feel free to double the recipe for a big batch!
Follow along with me HERE
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 cup of quick-cooking oats*
3 tbl (heaping) of sunflower seed butter**
3 tbl of maple syrup
2 pitted dates for date paste + 1/2 cup of hot water***
Sprinkle of maple sugar
Sprinkle of flaky salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Place dates in a bowl and pour 1/2 cup of hot water over them. Let them soak for 10 minutes in the water
2. In a bowl, add the oats, sunflower seed butter and maple syrup - stir with a fork to combine them
3. Add the soaked dates + soaking water to a blender and blend on high until dates become liquified
4. Add date paste/liquid to the oat mixture and mix everything together until fully combined
5. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop the oat mixture into a mini cupcake tray
6. Use a spoon to press the oat mixture down, so it is packed firmly into the tray
7. Sprinkle maple sugar and flaky salt on top
8. Place tray in the refrigerator and let chill for 3 hours
9. Remove mini cups from tray and turn them upside down so the top becomes the base of the cold cup. Store in the freezer so they get extra cold/firm - enjoy!
*You can use rolled oats here (instead of quick-cooking oats) by chopping the rolled oats into smaller pieces
**I like the brand Sunbutter for these - I use their no sugar added spread
***We're using a little bit more water in this recipe than we would for a traditional date paste because we want more liquid, so it's going to be thinner here!
