Today I’m sharing with you Nut-Free Caramel Rice Crispy Squares and something that helped me survive a year without peanut butter.
If you knew me last year, then you know that I’m obsessed with peanut butter. I used to eat it 1-2 times a day every day of the week and I’m talking about a layer so thick, you start wondering if you’re having toast with your peanut butter. That had to change when I moved to Saint John for my dietetic internship. I moved in with my friend who’s severely allergic to peanuts, which meant no peanut butter in the apartment. I needed to find a replacement. Of course, Catherine (my roommate) had found some great products over the years and had a few suggestions. After trying a few, I think it’s safe to say that SunButter is my favorite. I think I actually learned to love it more than peanut butter. *gasp*
I use it in everything, from oatmeal to desserts, including these nut-free caramel rice crispy squares.
I meant to try a sugar-free rice crispy square since forever and I’m so pleased with how they turned out! These are as easy as the real thing, yet they’re so much healthier. No marshmallow, no butter and all the crunch and sweetness. The trick here is dates. I know, I know. It’s probably no surprise to you if you’ve been following the blog. I use dates in most of my desserts (can you blame me?!). In this recipe, they serve as a sweetener and a binding ingredient. The SunButter is meant to replace the peanut butter in the classic “peanut butter caramel rice Krispies squares”. My version is not only healthier, but it’s also school friendly! The school year might be almost over, but these treats would be great all year round (peanut allergy or not). Speaking of peanut allergy, we’re graduating soon and in a few weeks, we’ll be using peanut butter again. I’m not even sure I’ll ever go back. Maybe I’ll just alternate between the two. 🙂
Now, one lucky reader will win 3 containers of SunButter! One “organic”, one “no sugar added” and one “original”. All you need to do is enter the quick giveaway below.
Unsweetened Caroline’s SunButter Giveaway
See below for the 5 ways you can enter this contest. You can enter one way or all 5 for a better chance to win! The winner will be chosen at random and the giveaway is opened to residents of Canada and the US only. Good luck!
If you try this recipe, make sure to tag your photo #unsweetenedcaroline on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Don’t forget to also tag me @unsweetened.caroline on Instagram so I can see your creations!
*This post is sponsored by SunButter. All opinions are my own.
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Date sweetened + cereal treat. It's like you know the dessert of my dreams and you brought it to life!!
Haha you're welcome! Enjoy Natalie. :D
Yum, those look amazing. Definitely going to make these very soon!
Thank you, I hope you'll like them! :)
Do you happen to know if these will hold up in a lunchbox?
Hi Vicky, I did bring them to work in my lunchbox many times and they held up well. I wouldn't say as well as regular rice Krispies, but they do hold together. Just make sure to press them very well at the bottom of the dish. Hope this helps! :)
Perfect! Thank you!
You're welcome. :)
Do you happen to know of a nut free brand of rice puffs?
Hi Alissa, I used Nature's Path puffed rice cereal, which is nut-free. It looks like Kellogg's Rice krispies are nut-free as well. I hope this helps!